Borehamwood library gets new life

Borehamwood library will open for an extra six hours a week thanks to a new arrangement between the town, borough and county councils.

From December, Borehamwood and Elstree Town Council will pay for the library to open for three additional hours on a Thursday between 11am and 2pm - the busiest of the days when the library is not currently open for the full day.  And from January, the library will open for an extra three hours on a Tuesday between 11am and 2pm following Hertsmere Borough Council's decision last night, December 7, to match the town council's funding.  

Borehamwood will have a new library in late 2012 and both Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council and Hertsmere Borough Council are keen to work with Hertfordshire County Council to maintain the profile of library services in the town. The new arrangement reflects Borehamwood residents’ view that the library is a local priority. The funding will continue until the end of 2012 when it will be reviewed.

Cllr Brenda Batten, Hertsmere's portfolio holder for Culture, Leisure and Health, said: "I am very pleased that we have been able to help the local community in Borehamwood in opening its library for more hours.

"This is a good example of what can be achieved in difficult times when local groups and councils work together and put the needs of residents first.

"The library is a well-used facility in Borehamwood and I hope that local people will continue to take advantage of the longer opening hours in the coming months."

Pat Strack, Chairman of the General Management Committee of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, said: "We are delighted to be in a position to help extend the opening hours and ensure that the library service is open to the general public to use at times that are convenient for them.

"The town council recognises that libraries play an important role in developing children's literacy skills, helping parents to read with their children and supporting schools with projects that promote reading."

Chris Hayward, Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: “We’re delighted that we are working with the town and borough council to meet the needs of the community in Borehamwood.

“We have worked hard to ensure that no libraries were closed when we made our changes to opening hours because we recognise the importance of libraries to many of our residents.

“While financial constraints mean we cannot provide the extensive opening hours we did in the past, new patterns of library provision, such as this example of funding from local level, may well emerge.”

Borehamwood library is run by Hertfordshire County Council. You can see here for its full opening times.