After a three-year experiment of having council public library services run by a private company, Haringey is at last in a position to return to base and strike out on its own. Instant Library, which was called in 2001 to rescue a failing service (no stars and no hope for improvement said the Audit Commission Best Value Inspectorate) and which had its contract renewed in 02 and 03 has bowed gracefully out of the picture with a successful record of rejuvenation, revival and refurbishment under its belt. The final Audit Commission inspection gave the service 2 stars and a possibility of improving more.

Interim Manager Diana Edmonds (formerly of Instant Library) has been selected to run the service from April. She is wished well as she makes the transition from private to public service!

LIBRARY HISTORY PUBLISHED

Local author Susan Chinn (also known as Deputy Chair of LLL) has written a history of her local library Highgate Library, Shepherds Hill, N6. It was published as part of the Centenary celebrations at the library and contains many old pictures, maps, drawings and stories of librarians, politicians and the famous user group HLAGs struggle to keep the library open.

Copies available from the library and Highgate/Crouch End/Muswell Hill bookshops.