Library of the month
Each month we will feature a different library that is embracing the Love Libraries campaign. Our current library of the month is Hoddesdon Library in Hertfordshire.
Hoddesdon Library
98A High Street
Hoddesdon
Herts, EN11 8HD
www.hertsdirect.org/libraries
Monday to Friday 9.00 to 20.00
Tuesday 10.00 to 20.00
Saturday 9.00 to 16.00
“This library is very well run. The staff are always very pleasant efficient and helpful. I was very pleased with the addition of magazines to borrow. There are a great variety of books and with moving stock there is constant interest on the shelves”
“I have lived in Hoddesdon all my life and have always found the service provided and the staff very helpful and attentive.”
“This is a wonderful library. Staff are always very, very helpful and the library is clean and a very pleasant place to sit and read and study. I have always used this library from the time it was first built. I borrow as many books and music CDs as I can.”
What are the best things about the library?
Hoddesdon Library is modern and recently refurbished with a vibrant, modern colour scheme, a
central location in the middle of town, a great selection of books, DVDs, CDs and magazines for
loan and lots of highly popular children’s activities and events for everyone. Customers love the
giant images displayed around the library, which have become a talking point of the town.
What children’s activities are taking place over the summer?
Hoddesdon are running the annual Summer Reading Challenge, weekly storytimes with singing
and colouring and popular monthly Baby Rhyme Times sessions. 362 children in the local area
took part in the reading challenge last year. To find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge
www.bigwildread.co.uk
To celebrate the new Harry Potter book, Hoddesdon recently held a Witches, Wizards and Magic storytelling event in partnership with a local independent bookshop and the Broxbourne Arts Forum
What’s on offer for young people?
There is a teenage area, very recently refurbished in consultation with pupils at local secondary
schools. It has designated computers, low tables, comfy seating, graphic novels and books. The
seating was chosen by the pupils, as was some of the book stock.
What clubs are held in the library?
The library runs a very popular monthly adult book club, where members not only discuss books
among themselves, but also write book reviews to display on the Readers’ Noticeboard. Books are
also supplied to other book clubs in the community. The library recently worked in partnership with
a local bookshop to run an extremely successful family and local history event, which attracted over
one hundred people.
Does the library work with other service providers in the community?
The Citizens Advice Bureau hold weekly evening surgeries in the library meetings room; The
Broxbourne Arts Forum have weekly Bridge club meetings; Adult learning sessions are run in
partnership with staff from Hertford Regional College (Next Steps) during Adult and Family learning
week; Sight Information events are held in partnership with Herts Society for the Blind.
How is the library supporting the Love Libraries campaign?
Hoddesdon Library have supported the campaign since it launched last year, using merchandise to
help promote events and offers in the library. With the launch of a ‘Love Your Library’ loyalty card
scheme in October, staff wore Love Libraries t-shirts and gave every single customer who
borrowed items a free Love Libraries carrier bag.
If you think your local library deserves to be featured as our ‘library of the month’ we want to hear from you! Contact the Love Libraries campaign on 020 7273 1432 or email info@lovelibraries.co.uk
View previous libraries of the month:
Essex Libraries
Lewes Library, Lewes
Handsworth Community Library, Birmingham
Hoddesdon Library, Hertfordshire
