Hackney Council Plans Library Cuts Amid Budget Crisis

Key Points

• Hackney Council proposes reducing opening hours of eight libraries to save £773,000 amid severe budget cuts.
• Three options presented include closing some libraries up to three days weekly or shortening opening hours on multiple sites.
• Campaigners and Brian Debus of Hackney Unison condemn the council’s approach, urging rejection of all options.
• Hackney Libraries are highlighted as vital community hubs beyond book lending, serving homeless and vulnerable people.
• The council has reduced staff since 2023 and resisted past closure attempts, focusing now on refurbishing Stoke Newington library.
• Cllr Chris Kennedy emphasises the need for honest measures to keep libraries open amid £25 million savings across the council.

What are the proposed changes to Hackney libraries’ opening hours?

As reported by Mo Kamali of MyLondon, Hackney Council opened a public consultation on 29 October 2025 proposing to cut library service hours across the borough. The council stated the need to save £773,000 to address “severe” budget cuts affecting its eight council-managed libraries.

The consultation outlines three possible options:

• First, some libraries would be closed for up to three days each week.
• Second, certain libraries might remain open more days but with reduced evening hours, closing at 6pm instead of 8pm for at least three days weekly at four sites.
• Third, libraries at Shoreditch, Stamford Hill, Clapton, and Homerton would have shortened Monday hours, while five libraries face an extra day of closure weekly, leaving three sites’ hours unchanged.

The council stressed these measures aim to avoid fully shutting any libraries, balancing financial pressures with community access.

Why are campaigners critical of Hackney Council’s library plans?

On 30 October, campaigners emphatically criticised the council’s “belt-tightening” approach. In a statement, Brian Debus, representative of Hackney Unison, called for a rejection of all the proposed options.

As quoted by Liam Trim of Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Mr Debus said,

“We believe Hackney Libraries provide a vital front-line service in our communities that should be cherished and protected, not consistently chipped away at.”

He accused the Labour-run council of engaging in “continual salami slicing of services” and urged it to push for increased funding from central government rather than cutting libraries.

The campaigners warned that accepting any option would amount to “giving a public seal of approval to the budget cuts as a fait accompli,” thereby undermining the future of public library services in Hackney.

How important are Hackney libraries to the local community?

According to Hackney Town Hall documents cited by Mo Kamali of MyLondon, the borough’s libraries serve as critical community hubs well beyond lending books.

A significant 30% of daily library computer users are people living in temporary accommodation, social housing, or homeless, underscoring libraries’ roles as essential access points for vulnerable residents.

Brian Debus articulated the deep social roots libraries have, stating,

“With over a century of heritage and immeasurably deep roots across the borough, they offer far more than simply book-lending. They are one of the last areas of public civic life, accessible to all, located at the heart of the community.”

What has been Hackney Council’s recent history with library funding?

Hackney Council has stated it protected libraries during prolonged austerity but acknowledged ongoing financial constraints. Since 2023, staff numbers have been reduced.

In 2024, the council proposed closing Stoke Newington library, a building in poor condition, to save £248,000. This proposal met strong opposition from Unison trade union representatives.

Instead of closure, the council decided to refurbish Stoke Newington library, reflecting efforts to maintain library assets amid budget challenges.

What is the council’s official stance on the proposals?

Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture, provided statements to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He expressed pride that Hackney still manages eight libraries despite the financial pressure on local government budgets. He acknowledged the reality of needing to “be honest about how to keep them going.”

Cllr Kennedy outlined that reducing library opening hours is a “necessary measure” within the wider context of £25 million council-wide savings mandated in last year’s budget.

He urged community members to participate in the consultation to ensure final decisions are “fair, balanced, and reflect the needs of our community,” underscoring the importance of resident feedback.

What are the next steps and timeline for Hackney libraries’ future?

The public consultation remains open for residents and library users to submit their views on the three options. The council will consider this input before making final decisions.

The final outcome is expected to be announced in the coming months, with the council aiming to implement the changes in line with its broader savings programme.

Residents and campaign groups are preparing to continue advocacy efforts to prevent the erosion of library services, highlighting the social importance of these community assets.

Why is this issue receiving significant attention?

The Hackney library proposals come at a time when many local authorities across the UK face financial constraints impacting public services.

Library closures or reduced hours are contentious due to libraries’ multifaceted role in education, digital inclusion, social support, and community cohesion.

Campaigners view such cuts as symptomatic of wider challenges facing public services post-austerity and advocate for robust government funding.

Hackney Council’s case exemplifies the difficult balance between managing tight budgets and preserving valued community resources.