Published: Monday 6 July 2020
From Monday 6 July, North Kensington Library, Kensington Central Library and Chelsea Library are welcoming back residents with heightened hygiene and social distancing measures in place to ensure residents can safely enjoy all that our libraries have to offer. They will be open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9.30am to 5pm.
Visitors to the libraries will be asked to observe the Government’s guidelines on social distancing, keeping two metres apart wherever possible and a minimum of one metre apart when further distancing isn’t possible.
Cllr Catherine Faulks, Lead Member for Economy, Employment and Innovation, said:
“Safely reopening three of our libraries is a brilliant step towards normality in Kensington and Chelsea. We’ve all felt the buzz around pubs and bars reopening, but for some, a visit to the library is the perfect way to unwind and enjoy time out of their home with other likeminded members of their community. We really look forward to welcoming you back.”
In a video filmed outside North Kensington Library, Cllr Faulks shared more information about libraries reopening in Kensington and Chelsea.
What safety measures will be in place?
- Hand sanitiser at the entrance and in other key areas of the libraries
- Perspex screens at enquiry desks
- Floor marking to direct flow and aid with social distancing
- Limit on visitor numbers at any one time, with a clicker ensuring a safe number of visitors are inside at any given time
What will be available?
You will be able to use a computer and access the internet, but cash handling will not be available at our enquiry desks as we are encouraging customers to use self-service machines. Staff will be available to assist customers from a safe distance.
There will be no physical events on offer and onsite reading of printed newspapers and magazines will be unavailable, but these can be accessed via our e-resources. This is part of our virtual offer, which we will continue offering. More information on the libraries virtual offer, plus other fun and useful online resources, are available on the @RBKCLibraries Twitter account.
Where are the three reopened libraries?
- North Kensington Library: 108 Ladbroke Grove, W11 1PZ
- Kensington Central Library: 12 Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX (opposite Kensington Town Hall)
- Chelsea Library: Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road, SW3 5EZ
If you have any more questions about the reopening of libraries in Kensington and Chelsea, please email [email protected] or call 020 7361 3993.
For more information on the reopening of libraries, visit the Coronavirus section of our website.
To stay up to date with the latest news from our libraries, follow @RBKCLibraries on Twitter.