Whitley Library Reopens this Week
- Whitley Library in south Reading is now due to reopen this Thursday, initially for 3 hours per week, from 1-4 pm
- Further branches to reopen at Southcote and Palmer Park in May.
READING Council is pleased to announce the reopening of Whitley Library tomorrow (Thursday 22nd April), following the successful return of Central Library, Caversham, Tilehurst and Battle Libraries.
Whitley Library in south Reading is now due to reopen initially for 3 hours per week, from 1-4 pm. Details of the reopening, including new opening times, can be found at: www.reading.gov.uk/libraryrestart
From Thursday 22nd April, Whitley Library, which is located within South Reading Community Hub, will offer:
- Returns – to entrance when the library is open
- Order and collect (book online at www.reading.gov.uk/libraryrestart or via 0118 937 5950)
- Limited computer bookings (via 0118 937 5950)
Visitors to the library will be reminded to follow safety precautions, including the wearing of face coverings inside the building and for the use of computers, test and trace registration will be required.
Working in line with current national safety guidance, the Council will look to continue the planned phase of reopening of wider library services where possible and with safety at the forefront of all its plans.
Whilst the libraries are currently operating on reduced hours, once all branches are open, the Library Service will look to extend the range of services and opening hours where possible.
The current plan is for Southcote library to reopen during the week commencing 3rd May and Palmer Park library to reopen during the week commencing 17th May. Both these libraries would also reopen initially for 3 hours a week.
People can now book to visit their local library in Central, Tilehurst, Caversham (and from Thursday at Whitley via www.reading.gov.uk/libraryrestart or by calling 0118 937 5950).
Simon Smith, Reading’s Library Service Manager, said: “I am delighted we are now in a position to announce the return of Whitley Library. Following on from our successful reopening of Central, Caversham and Tilehurst Libraries last year and Battle Library earlier this month.
“With the reopening of Whitley, we have five branches open now and we are keen to promote the fact we are open for visitors again. We are slowly, but surely getting back to offering our much-loved library service.
“We are also confident we can reintroduce Southcote and Palmer Park library branches soon after in May – once we have all libraries with some opening, we will look to progress with the services we can offer. Whilst we are operating on reduced hours at present, we hope to extend our library offer and opening as soon as possible once all library branches are open, where we are able.
“Since Central Library reopened in July 2020, our service has seen around 13,000 visitors in total across the network, with 25,000 new books issued and around 3,000 home visits. We hope to continue to build on these numbers.
“As ever, with the reopening of our branches the safety of the public and our staff remains our top priority and so these services may initially look very different to before the pandemic. We need to be absolutely confident every preventative measure against the virus has been carefully thought out and implemented, to prevent any local resurgence originating at these locations.
“Don’t forget to please make a booking ahead of visiting Battle, Tilehurst, Central, Caversham and Whitley Libraries, at www.reading.gov.uk/libraryrestart or by calling 0118 937 5950 to avoid disappointment.
“If you haven’t already, don’t forget to check out our online offering at www.reading.gov.uk/elibrary – we are constantly curating and recommending new material and research pertinent to current issues. If you are not a member already, it is very easy to sign up online and access our online resources. Over the past year, we have had 2,623 people join the service and we’ve issued a staggering 65,000 eResources! We also have very lively social media channels that are very worthy of following.”
Borrowed items are not due back until all branches are open but book drops are currently available at Central, Caversham, Battle library - and no fines are being charged.
Since Central Library reopened, the service has seen around 13,000 visitors in total across the network, with 25,000 new books issued and around 3,000 home visits.
Reading Library’s popular e-service continues to be available. The virtual Reading Library www.reading.gov.uk/elibrary boasts a huge range of instant access to free online resources, including eBooks, eMagazines and eAudio. New library members can register instantly online at www.reading.gov.uk/libraries and there are lots free online learning resources at www.reading.gov.uk/online-learning
For the latest information and updates, visit: www.reading.gov.uk/libraryrestart