Havering Council Libraries Consultation

Closed 2 Aug 2024

Opened 10 May 2024

Overview

Havering Council has a legal duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all those who “live, work or study and want to access the service” in the city (Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964). We are currently inviting people who live, work, or study in the borough to help shape the future of the library service.​

Great things happen in our libraries, but we face significant challenges in the future. We know that, especially post-Covid, the way residents use libraries continues to change and we need to respond to those changes. Many of our buildings need large-scale investment to remain the safe, warm and welcoming spaces we need them to be. And, above all, the budget challenges the Council faces means the library service’s budget needs to reduce.

Because of those budget challenges, we need to propose reducing the number of libraries in the borough by four – from ten libraries to six. We propose that four of the current five branch libraries – open for 24 hours per week – should close in order to achieve the savings target the service has been set.

We remain committed to providing a good quality library service for residents, and this strategy makes some new commitments, including asking whether a new Children’s Library in the borough would be welcomed.


Our face to face events across the borough are now confirmed.  You can find more details in the 'Events' section below, and if you wish to attend, please make sure you book a space using the links found in the 'Related Links' section below.  

If an event is displaying as 'sold out' or you are unable to book online we will have limited space for walk-ins, but this may not guarantee a seat due to the space available. 

Please see our Havering Library Strategy 2024-29 in the 'Documents' section below, alternatively, click on the link to a digital version.  You can also pick up a copy in your local library.

Children and Young People

We have now launched a special version of our Libraries Consultation, just for children and young people aged under 18, and up to age 25 with special educational needs.  Please visit this link to take part.  

There is a Frequently Asked Questions document at the bottom of this page for the young person's survey.  

 

Why your views matter

To ensure we carry out a robust consultation, we are asking you for your views on many aspects of our libraries service; if you'd rather not complete all of the consultation questions, you don't have to as you can skip most questions. 

Please consider the questions carefully and share your evidence of impact with us as your responses to the consultation will help shape the future of our libraries.

The consultation closes on Friday 2 August 2024.

Events

  • Library Consultation Event at Romford Town Hall

    From 9 Jul 2024 at 18:30 to 9 Jul 2024 at 20:30

    Romford Town Hall
    Main Road
    Romford RM1 4GR

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the related links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Gidea Park Library

    From 11 Jul 2024 at 17:30 to 11 Jul 2024 at 19:00

    Gidea Park Library
    168 Balgores Lane
    Gidea Park
    RM2 6BS

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the related links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Collier Row Library

    From 12 Jul 2024 at 17:30 to 12 Jul 2024 at 19:00

    Collier Row Library
    45 Collier Row Road
    Romford
    RM5 3NR

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Elm Park Library

    From 18 Jul 2024 at 17:30 to 18 Jul 2024 at 19:00

    Elm Park Library
    Saint Nicholas Avenue
    Hornchurch
    RM12 4PT

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at St Peter's Church Hall, Harold Wood

    From 19 Jul 2024 at 13:30 to 19 Jul 2024 at 15:00

    St Peter's Church Hall
    Gubbins Lane
    Romford
    RM3 0QA

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at South Hornchurch Library

    From 19 Jul 2024 at 17:30 to 19 Jul 2024 at 19:00

    South Hornchurch Library
    138 Rainham Road
    Rainham
    RM13 7RH

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Gidea Park Library

    From 24 Jul 2024 at 10:30 to 24 Jul 2024 at 12:00

    Gidea Park Library
    168 Balgores Lane
    Gidea Park
    RM2 6BS

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the related links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Collier Row Library

    From 25 Jul 2024 at 17:30 to 25 Jul 2024 at 19:00

    Collier Row Library
    45 Collier Row Road
    Romford
    RM5 3NR

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Elm Park Library

    From 26 Jul 2024 at 14:30 to 26 Jul 2024 at 16:00

    Elm Park Library
    Saint Nicholas Avenue
    Hornchurch
    RM12 4PT

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at South Hornchurch Library

    From 26 Jul 2024 at 17:30 to 26 Jul 2024 at 19:00

    South Hornchurch Library
    138 Rainham Road
    Rainham
    RM13 7RH

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Harold Wood Library

    From 27 Jul 2024 at 10:30 to 27 Jul 2024 at 12:00

    Harold Wood Library
    Arundel Road
    Romford
    RM3 0RX

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Harold Hill Library

    From 29 Jul 2024 at 11:00 to 29 Jul 2024 at 12:30

    Harold Hill Library
    19a Farnham Road
    Romford
    RM3 8EJ

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Hornchurch Library

    From 30 Jul 2024 at 11:00 to 30 Jul 2024 at 12:30

    Hornchurch Library
    44 North Street
    Hornchurch
    RM11 1TB

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Upminster Library

    From 31 Jul 2024 at 11:00 to 31 Jul 2024 at 12:30

    Upminster Library
    Corbets Tey Road
    Upminster
    RM14 2AU

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

  • Library Consultation Event at Rainham Library

    From 1 Aug 2024 at 11:00 to 1 Aug 2024 at 12:30

    Rainham Library
    Celtic Farm Road
    Rainham
    RM13 9GP

    Please make sure you book a ticket, see the Eventbrite link in the Related Links section below.

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Local Plans
  • Development
  • Residents
  • Communities
  • Businesses
  • Budget
  • Council