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See what services are available at our libraries during COVID-19 | Black History Haringey 365.

October half-term fun! There is an extensive programme of activities running in Haringey for children and young people during the half-term holiday.

Library news and activities

Check out what we have going on, as well as some useful links to some fun activities for you and your young ones.

Welcome Back to our Libraries 

Haringey Libraries is ready to welcome more customers back to our much-loved libraries as we increase our opening hours and services.

Eight of our libraries will stay open later so visitors can:

  • browse at their leisure
  • use computers for a maximum of 2 hours (without needing to book)
  • access our free WiFi and study desks
  • safely enjoy the spaces

Bookable meeting rooms and free family activities such as the popular Rhyme and Story times will also be making a come back, as well as newspapers. We will add more info as it becomes available.

Find out more about our current COVID-19 Safety Measures.

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Deliveries in Lockdown: Exhibition at Hornsey LibraryOne of the photos at Ella Cottrell's Exhibition

A 77-year-old from Crouch End pursued her love of photography while shielding, by snapping delivery riders on their weekly visits.

Ella Cottrell photographed riders from the eco-delivery company Pedal Me when they drop off her weekly order of bread and supplies from Crouch End’s Dunn’s Bakery.

Before the pandemic, Ella enjoyed photographing people in the street, but since having to shield back in March, she came up with the idea to combat loneliness.

Ella said:

The pandemic is a horrendous thing in the world but this has brought joy into my life.
I love it.

Two male cyclists

These gorgeous people from Pedal Me are a bunch of bright young things and this has been a godsend for me because I like being creative.

Ella is a self-published author who previously worked as a props buyer and stylist in the film industry and became interested in photography in the 1970s.

“I used to take pictures of punks in the ‘70s in Carnaby Street,” she said.

Ella captures the joyful energy of delivery people in a vibrant colourful series of photographs taken in her entrance porch during lockdown – a horrendous lonely and anxious time…

The full collection is now available to visit at Hornsey Library Gallery and ends on 18 September.

Gallery opening times

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 12pm - 4pm
  • Tuesday and Thursday: 12pm - 6pm
  • Sunday: Closed

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Activities for Children

'Hair Love' Animated Short

Hair Love, an Oscar®-winning animated short film by Matthew A. Cherry, tells the heartfelt story of an African American father learning to do his daughter’s hair for the first time.

Note for iPhone users and Youtube. There is a known bug with iOS and Youtube, Two buttons are read before the player but provide no functionality. We advise that you skip these to access the content.

Printable Activities for Children

See also the Children's Libraries page.

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Reading Ahead

We are delighted to partner with the Reading Agency and bring #ReadingAhead to Haringey Libraries.

Reading Ahead is a reading challenge for young people and adults delivered by libraries and learning settings that asks participants to choose 6 reads. These can be books, magazines, recipes, letters - anything!

Challenge yourself to read and review 6 books that give you pleasure.

Start Your Reading Journey Today! (external link)

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Featured Adult Authors

Check out this month's featured adult authors, Hilary Mantel and Zadie Smith. Hilary was the first woman to be awarded the Man Booker Prize, not once, but twice. Zadie's first novel won a Whitbread First Novel Award. You can read all about Hilary's and Zadie's exploits, and even borrow featured books via our digital catalogue.

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Speaking Stones

A librarian, called Andrew Bence, whom users of Stroud Green Library and our other libraries may know, perhaps even like, channels the character of proud Victorian do-gooder Councillor Henry Burt to recall the story of how, over more than a century, our much-loved Stroud Green and Harringay Library has steadfastly served its community.

Speaking Stones is online project consisting of a series of videos celebrating cultural buildings, objects and street art in ‘Harringay and Beyond’. Take a look at a video on the history of Stroud Green Library by Speaking Stones:

Note for iPhone users and Youtube. There is a known bug with iOS and Youtube, Two buttons are read before the player but provide no functionality. We advise that you skip these to access the content.


During Hornsey Library's recent refurbishment, Reclining Figure in Bronze by Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones could only be distantly glimpsed through a gap in the fence, waiting for the day when she returned to glory in the newly developed building.

But all the while she was waiting, she carried on dreaming...

Note for iPhone users and Youtube. There is a known bug with iOS and Youtube, Two buttons are read before the player but provide no functionality. We advise that you skip these to access the content.

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See also

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Follow us on social media

Follow @haringeylibrary on Twitter   

Receive details of forthcoming events and news about books and authors. You can also share your news, comments and reviews of books, films and music!

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Page last updated:

October 4, 2021