Chiswick Library Set To Reopen Later This Month

Will operate with restricted opening hours and limit on people inside

Chiswick Library. Picture: Paul Robertson

Chiswick Library is to reopen on Monday 13 July as part of Hounslow Council’s phased reintroduction of the service.

It will be the third library in the borough with Feltham and Heston due to reopen on Wednesday 8 July.

Libraries have been closed to the public since lockdown began in March, but following updated government coronavirus advice, they can now start to reopen.

Hounslow Council says it has put a range of health and safety measures in place to minimise risk for staff and members of the public. These include social distancing, frequent cleaning and limiting the number of people in the building at one time.

The libraries will initially be operating with reduced hours, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm and visitors will be able to access a ‘browse, borrow and return’ service only.

Library computers and the ‘Click and Collect’ Service will not be available for the public to access immediately. However, the council says these services are under review and will be offered in due course at a later date as part of the phased reopening programme.

While physical library buildings have been closed, Hounslow Libraries has continued to provide the Library at Home Service; delivering books, DVDs and puzzles to vulnerable residents who are isolating in their own homes during the coronavirus pandemic. The School Library Service has also continued, which enablings all schools across the borough to have access to a wide range of library books.

The online services offered by Hounslow Libraries have seen an upsurge in use.
• Increased issue of e-audio by 143%
• Increased issue of e-books by 41%
• Increased issue of online newspaper and magazines by 35%

Councillor Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Leisure Service, at Hounslow Council, said, “Our staff have been working really hard and we look forward to welcoming Hounslow residents back to our libraries. But it needs to be done in a safe way, with a small number of libraries opening in the first instance. We know that libraries are an important part of the community and people will be missing them. As our libraries begin to reopen, we will continually be reviewing what services we can provide.

“However, where possible, we encourage residents to use our wide range of online library services, including e-books and e-magazines. All you need is a Hounslow library card and internet access. We are delighted to have seen an increase in the number of Hounslow’s residents and their families using these services during lockdown and hope that more people will continue to use this valuable resource.”

To find out more about library services, including online services, visit: hounslow.gov.uk/libraries. All you need is your library member number and pin as printed on your card. If you don’t have a library card you can register online and collect your card from Chiswick library when it reopens.

MyLibraryApp customers can access their account from their phone or tablet to manage item loans, renewals, downloading eBooks or find their nearest library.

June 30, 2020