Six Edinburgh libraries will reopen on October 13

Start of phased reopening of all city libraries

Libraries reopening on October 13 will offer most of the usual services, but group activities like arts and crafts will not take place

SIX Capital libraries are set to reopen next month, council chiefs announced today.

Central Library on George IV Bridge will open its doors on Tuesday October 13, as will McDonald Road, Fountainbridge, Stockbridge, Newington and Kirkliston.

All 28 city libraries have been closed since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

The council said after the first six had welcomed users back, there would be a phased reopening of the rest of the libraries, but no dates have yet been set.

The libraries reopening on October 13 will offer a range of services including the borrowing and returning of items, support for online bus pass applications, People’s Network free computer access, Hey Girls free sanitary products, hearing aid batteries, printing and photocopying.

Numbers in the buildings will be less and social distancing measures will be in place.

Group activities, such as arts and crafts events, will not take place.

Depute council leader Cammy Day said: “I’m delighted that six of our libraries will reopen next month as we know how important this service is to our local communities. This is the first important step in our plans for a phased reopening of these valuable community assets across the city.

“We all want to see our libraries up and running again and I hope our residents appreciated that we have to make sure our buildings are safe to do so. Our top priority is always the health of our citizens and our library teams.

“Our digital service has gone from strength to strength during the pandemic and we’ve seen an ever increasing number of downloads and I hope people continue to use our amazing library resources online and in person when they open their doors again next month.

“We really appreciate everyone’s support and patience as we gradually reopen our libraries and look forward to welcoming people back into their local spaces.”

The announcement comes after criticism from the professional body for librarians in Scotland, who said Edinburgh was the only council in Scotland - and one of only a few in the UK - without a plan to reopen its libraries.

In an open letter to council leader Adam McVey, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS) acknowledged the unprecedented challenges created by the Covid crisis but argued libraries were needed now more than ever.

And it said: “We believe it is essential that there are clear dates in place for reopening all library branches.

“As a Unesco City of Literature as well as Scotland’s capital and with a huge range of differing needs across the city, libraries are perfectly positioned to provide vital social infrastructure that has never been more needed than now.

“Libraries will be essential in tackling social isolation and supporting mental health and wellbeing in the coming months.”

The letter added that libraries play a key role in providing free access for people unable to get online at home, helping them to search and apply for jobs and welfare. A delay in accessing essential services could mean some people were left behind.

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