 From tomorrow, Monday 27 July, we are extending library services and opening hours, as we move to our next phase of reopening libraries.
Central, Bitterne, Woolston, Lordshill, Shirley and Portswood libraries will be offering book browsing, pre-booked public computer access and study space (study space not currently available at Shirley library), photocopying, select and collect services and returns.
Our community partners in Burgess Road Library and Cobbett Hub and Library will be reopening and offering a Select and Collect and returns service.
Opening Hours
Libraries are resuming Saturday openings and customers are encouraged to check modified hours online ahead of visiting.
Select and collect and returning books
Customers can reserve items online or via telephone on 023 8083 3007 (option 3), Monday to Friday - 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm. Items will then be prepared for collection.
Return bins remain available at the entrances of libraries for those wishing to just return items quickly. All returned books are quarantined for 72 hours and borrower accounts may not show returned items for 5 working days. No overdue fees will be charged until 6 September 2020.
Browsing
We are delighted to open our libraries and welcome customers back to browse for books. With fewer people allowed in the library at one time to enable social distancing, browsing will be limited to a 30-minute stay. We ask that any books you have handled whilst browsing are placed on tables or areas labelled for this purpose and not returned to shelves. If possible, please bring your library card with you.
With physical newspapers and magazines currently unavailable, many can be read online via the Digital Library. Our Digital Library also includes e-books and e-audiobooks as well as many other resources.
Booking computers and study space
Computer access and study space must be pre-booked and are restricted to 1 hour. To book either a public computer or study space contact libraries via telephone on 023 8083 3007 (option 3), Monday to Friday - 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm or visit us in branch. Please bring correct change for copying or printing as no change is available.
Access to Local Studies and Maritime Library
Pre-booked access to materials located in the Local Studies and Maritime Library will be available from Tuesday 4 August and can be done via email, local.studies@southampton.gov.uk and via telephone on 023 8083 3007 (option 3), Monday to Friday - 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm.
Group Events and Activities
Many of the events and group activities that would normally take place physically in our libraries will continue to be offered online including Rhyme time, Story time and the Summer Reading Challenge. To ensure you don’t miss out, follow us on social media, @SouthamptonCityLibraries on Facebook and @SotonLibraries on Twitter.
Staying safe in Southampton Libraries
Appropriate measures will be in place to ensure staff and public stay safe.
You can expect the following at our libraries:
- Customers are recommended to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces
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Staff will be here to welcome you but may be behind perspex screens
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Hand sanitising stations, staff in personal protective equipment and additional cleaning measures
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Queue management and fewer people in the library at any one time to allow for social distancing
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We also ask that children under 12 are accompanied by an adult
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Different layouts and reduced furniture
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Public toilets and other supplementary services will be temporarily unavailable, but this will be reviewed frequently so that they can be offered again as soon as it is safe to do so
- To assist the NHS Test and Trace service, the Council is maintaining a temporary record of our visitors. This information will be shared with the NHS if needed. More information can be found online.
Thank you for your support in protecting the safety of library staff and visitors and we look forward to seeing you soon.
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