While we all want to see our libraries up and running again, our top priority is the health of residents and colleagues.
How we safely manage the reopening of any of our services is directed by Scottish Government guidance and Safer Workplace Guidance for Public Libraries. The planning also considers that each library building has its own specific considerations.
In planning the re-opening of Edinburgh’s libraries, we have considered different approaches adopted by our colleagues in many services across Scotland and more widely afield in England, Northern Ireland and Europe.
We are confident that opening our buildings in this phased approach follows the Scottish Government guidelines and maintains health, safety and comfort for our staff and customers.
The first phase of opening will see a selection of library buildings across the city reopening on Tuesday 13 October.
We envisage that, initially at least, services will be limited to browsing and borrowing, returning items, free access to computers, internet and WiFi, support with National Entitlement card online applications, Hey Girls free sanitary provision, hearing aid batteries, printing and photocopying.
As you might expect, numbers within buildings will be limited, social distancing measures will be in place and some services will only be available by booking in advance.
The 6 libraries are Central, Kirkliston, McDonald Road, Fountainbridge, Stockbridge and Newington.
Further information will be advertised in the coming weeks.
We will of course continue to closely monitor developments and government guidance as the situation can change rapidly as you’ll have seen from other areas of Scotland and the UK.
Our Home Delivery service continues to deliver library books to our most vulnerable and housebound customers, and our digital and online services have remained active throughout – you can use your card to access resources.
We appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back.
Would really like to see Currie or Colinton open asap. We have no direct bus service to Fountainbridge…the one supposedly in our area. Currie in particular could operate a one way system. And at present our only option is a hourlong trip into the centre on the 44 ( and then a walk uphill. That’s not good enough for well over 20, ooo people.
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Hello Elizabeth Thank you for your comment, I will pass on to Library managers.
This is the most recent update.
‘While we all want to see our libraries up and running again, our top priority is the health of residents and colleagues.
How we safely manage the reopening of any of our services is directed by Scottish Government guidance and Safer Workplace Guidance for Public Libraries. The planning also considers that each library building has its own specific considerations.
We are confident that opening our buildings in this phased approach follows the Scottish Government guidelines and maintains health, safety and comfort for our staff and customers.’
Regards
Alison
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When will Morningside Library reopen ? Reading is therapeutic for good health to be maintained.
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Hi Amy
Thanks for your comments, I will pass them on the library management. We don’t yet have dates for all the libraries opening I’m afraid, the most recent update said that ‘While we all want to see our libraries up and running again, our top priority is the health of residents and colleagues.
How we safely manage the reopening of any of our services is directed by Scottish Government guidance and Safer Workplace Guidance for Public Libraries. The planning also considers that each library building has its own specific considerations. We are confident that opening our buildings in this phased approach follows the Scottish Government guidelines and maintains health, safety and comfort for our staff and customers.’
Thanks Susan
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When is Oxgangs Library reopening?
Thank you.
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Hi Lynda
Thanks for your comment, I will pass them on the library management. We don’t yet have dates for all the libraries opening I’m afraid, the most recent update said that ‘While we all want to see our libraries up and running again, our top priority is the health of residents and colleagues.
How we safely manage the reopening of any of our services is directed by Scottish Government guidance and Safer Workplace Guidance for Public Libraries. The planning also considers that each library building has its own specific considerations. We are confident that opening our buildings in this phased approach follows the Scottish Government guidelines and maintains health, safety and comfort for our staff and customers.’
Thanks Susan
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How do you book a slot to attend one of the libraries that will be opening?
It would be great to see currie Oxgangs or colinton open up – v little for south west edinburgh of the options that are opening
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Hello Nina and thanks for your comments.
You can book a slot using the online booking system found here: https://selfservice-edinburgh.servicebuilder.co.uk/renderform.aspx?t=6&k=9207978C602E9BBDFC97DCCC43A1920836C03279
or by phoning one of the 6 reopened libraries.
We’ve also got a handy FAQs page on our website which might be of interest: https://yourlibrary.edinburgh.gov.uk/web/arena/reopening-FAQs
With best wishes
Clare
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Absolutely agree with Nina’s comment. There’s over 10 000 people up here with no access.to a library. Fountainbridge is OK if you live in the centre of the city but there are thousands of us here in Juniper Green, Colinton, Currie, Balerno with no access to a Library and no direct public transport to Fountainbridge. And what about provision for children? It’s not clear whether the Central Children’s will be open . And do those which will be open have a children’s section?
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Hi Elizabeth, thank you for your comments. The choice of libraries open had to be based on the availability of space to manage and quarantine the large volume of returned items during the initial period of expected high demand. We also wanted to avoid library hubs where critical resilience services operate. Central Children’s Library is reopening on the 13 October. Further details about reopening can be found at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/libraryreopening with extra detail being in the frequently asked questions section.
Best wishes
Susan
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