One of the reasons why we are so keen for people to take our latest survey: friendsofhighgatelibrary.co.uk/feedback is because we are collating exciting ideas for classes we would like to host/support/see at Highgate Library. Imagine our beloved local library really using and utilising all three floors (yes there are 3 floors) and amazing garden space back and front.
Save The Date: Guy Fawkes Party 04/11 2 – 4pm
We will be hosting a Guy Fawkes Afternoon party at Highgate Library on 04/11 from 2- 4pm.
Admission will be free.
Wonderfully talented local writer, Polly Faber: https://pollyfaber.com has agreed to come and hold readings from her magical children’s books. Polly,like so many local talents and writers, supports our campaign to keep Highgate Library in it’s beloved location.
Her books include the well loved Mango and Bambang series.
More information about the party to follow soon.
If you have raffle prizes, or want to help with the arts and craft activities, please email: savehighgatelibrary@gmail.com
Books Not In Haringey’s “Vision” For Highgate Library.
Laughable, if it wasn’t so tragic: books NOT on the agenda from Haringey for their vision for libraries and library services.
When we rallied local support, by flyering a poorly advertised meeting with Haringey to discuss the future of Highgate Library. Despite hosting it almost a mile away and with no public transport access, almost 200 people attended.
Highgate News a local media company videoed the entire meeting: links below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpaMOjKhQRw&list=PLK3ldWAwLjVYpMNUN07AgxkovNTNUPMej
An Update of Most of Our Recent Letters In The Ham And High Over The Past Two Months.
Save Hari March Details – Wood Green Library 09/09
In Protest at the loss of all 5 children’s librarians, supported by over 50 famous children’s authors, there will be a protest outside Wood Green Library.
All details in the attached flyer.
Please see also Catherine West MP’s letter to DCMS.
The Ham and High This Week 08/09/2017.
Our Survey Says.
Please could everyone looking at this website take two minutes to complete the survey we have at the top of our links above.
Thanks so much.
ADDING TO THE NOTE WE SENT OUT YESTERDAY RE THE JLAC QUESTIONNAIRE AND THE URGENCY TO REPLY. IT SEEMS THAT IN FACT THE DEADLINE IS A DAY EARLIER – DESPITE GOING ONLINE TWO WEEKS LATER THAN IT WAS MEANT TO! PLEASE SUBMIT BY 4PM 31/07 LATEST. IN ADDITION TO THE POINTS SENT OUT YESTERDAY, PLEASE SEE BELOW.
SUGGESTED ANSWER FOR Q.10
http://friendsofhighgatelibrary.co.uk/highgatelibraryandjacksonslane
The proposals seen to date are difficult to assess because: (a) No scale is given on the plans, (b) No existing elevations are shown, and (c) Existing plan is only of the Ground Floor of the library and existing basement, gardens and first floor of library plans are not shown.
A strong feature of Jacksons Lane in terms of public presence, of streetscape and of the character and appearance of the Conservation Area is how the Victorian Gothic visually rises out of the ground encompassing windows and entrances providing transparency to the interior. By comparison theJLAC options make the new ground floor cafe frontage appear like a hoarding separating the main building and its interior from the public realm outside. The options as currently presented distracts from the fundamental point that no-one has been allowed to feedback on the pros and cons of the principle of relocation of the library in the first place.
Urgent Response Outline From FOHL to JLAC Feasibility Study: Deadline 01/08!
Jacksons Lane’s plans need “feedback” by the end of the month.
You can find them here: http://friendsofhighgatelibrary.co.uk/highgatelibraryandjacksonslane
The not particularly prominent link to the “feedback” form is at the top-right. That link redirects from our site, so I can count visitors.
Natasha’s suggested responses can be found here:
http://friendsofhighgatelibrary.co.uk/docs/JLAC_Feedback.pdf
Use them as guidance, paraphrase them if you can, but if you’re really busy, copying and pasting will just about do.
The main thing is to get sufficient mass of critical responses.
–Giles.
_______________________________________________
Friends mailing list
Friends@friendsofhighgatelibrary.co.uk
Stats On Library Usage & A Response To How Haringey Use Them Re Highgate Library.
JLAC and Haringey are saying that Highgate Library is not well used. JLAC cite 4000 users a week, that’s 7 days a week with long opening hours. Highgate Library is open 6 days a week, for less hours: sometimes compounded by staff cuts meaning early closures, it is smaller and has 1,153 users a week. Last year the printer was left unfixed for months and users told to go to Muswell Hill or other libraries. Now these figures of diminished usage are being used as a rod to strike Highgate Library’s back. Using their own version of stats, it is JLAC which is under used per sq m and not in fact Highgate Library!
A) Don’t use stats manifested by shortages and a false narrative and B) Look at impact – we have met multiple marginalised members of the community for whom Highgate Library is a lifeline.
Haringey as stated on June 20th at the Cabinet meeting to agree the sell off in principle of Highgate Library, are using Section 7 of the Library Act to prevent a full public consultation. This is sadly yet another instance of not listening to library users. Engagement, badly signposted meetings, deadlines reduced by delays and then not extended, deadlines set over the summer holidays, an utter lack of communication and response. This is not how to show a community that you are listening and care. The questionnaires weren’t picked up until last weekend, yet the drawings were ready to be seen 2 weeks prior. Who then set the brief and on what terms is the engagement? The drawings by JLAC weren’t placed online until the meeting on the 19th however. The points showcasing their vision is so badly written we counted over 7 spelling and grammar mistakes – was it a rush job, when it was already delayed by 2 weeks? We asked for the deadline to be extended for responses. We were told it would be. It hasn’t and remains 01/08. Their response form is very biased towards positive feedback. No one we meet wants a library in JLAC. We wish them every success, but not with our library sold off to private developers to do so.