Highgate Library Action Group was formed in 1988, when the first of a series of cuts and threats were made to the library service of the London Borough of Haringey. Concerned and angry users formed themselves into a support group and began a successful campaign to stop the closure of this small but much-loved library. An all night vigil was one of the memorable events, and the committee continued to support the library with fund-raising and political activity at the time of each budget cut.
Over eleven years HLAG has produced a regular newsletter
(HLAGNEWS), held many book sales, organized events
of all sorts at the library, helped with activities for children, and purchased
books for the adult and the junior sections. Even in times of relative peace
it has soldiered on.
HLAG has always been part of the Haringey library support groups forum - now
titled FORE! (Friends of Reading and Education) - and has been unceasingly
active in press and on site promoting the cause of Highgate Library and
the six branch libraries in Haringey. All the branches are needed for a
comprehensive service to the public, and proper investment is needed now
to stop the deterioration caused by the past ten years of cuts. FORE! is
extremely active in the Task Group, discussing the future of the library service.
With only two years until our 100th year, we have set a goal for ourselves - to
initiate and fund an extension to the library!
There is space at the rear of the building, where the staff office
is at present in a small cabin-like structure. Our architect is drawing
up plans (which will be available on the site when we have them). We envisage
an extended reading room, a revamped children's section, perhaps
space for a coffee shop and internet facilities, a new librarian's office,
and public toilets. All with a backdrop of trees and greenery. This is just the sort of
atmosphere which Chris Smith - Cabinet Minister for Culture, Media & Sport - envisages for
libraries in the twenty-first century.