After public consultation, Hackney Council has decided that Stamford Hill, Hackney Central and the new Dalston C.L.R. James Libraries will open 9am to 8pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm on Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday. Stoke Newington and Shoreditch Libraries will open from 10am to 8pm on Monday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm on Fridays and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays. Clapton and Homerton Libraries will open from 10am to 8pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 1pm to 6pm on Wednesday, 10am to 6pm on Friday  and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays. Woodberry Down will continue to open at 9.30am, but will also now open over the lunch hour. Dalston C.L.R. James, Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill Library will also open on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. The hours at Hackney Archives are being extended by five hours each week. The new hours will be introduced later this year. As the consultation showed support for the use of volunteers the Council will look at the possibilities further. Volunteers will not take the place of paid staff.

However, not only are job losses looming in the service, but also the libraries are suffering cuts to opening hours (as above). Some will also be facing reductions in the number and frequency of activities they will be providing. Although perhaps not yet the 'slow death' of the library services as predicted by many service workers, the future of libraries in the borough will remain a burning issue with many workers in and users of the much-needed service.

Follow this website for further developments.