Rather surprisingly it is now four years since the £3m Hornsey Library restoration project completed and people were pleased to welcome the addition of a revamped and reinvigorated Library concourse to the restoration last year.

The concourse and Square project has been delivered by Haringey, the Friends of the Library, the gardening volunteers, supported by the Forum, with hard landscaping funded by the Borough. The work has been designed to meet the obligations of the Library’s grade II listing with period lighting, sixties seating, and the painstaking sourcing of the concrete paving tiles. The restored fountain and sculpture is particularly fine – and we’re happy to report that the seating is now also in place, thanks to a donation by the late Sally Mustoe, a long time local champion and member of the Neighbourhood Forum.

See also –

Hornsey Library – official celebration

Alas, as people will know, a fully realised vision remains out of reach due to the discovery of RAAC concrete in the main Library roof, requiring an extensive and pricey rebuild. The scaffolding may stay for some time and we’re informed that a feasibility report is due by February 2025, with a planning application and tendering process to complete by late summer. Construction work is provisionally timed for mid 2026.

Meanwhile, Haringey’s Library consultation is still in progress but will probably result in reduction of opening hours by 1 or 2 hours per day, plus Hornsey Library closing on Sundays.