Edinburgh Welcomes Back Four Further Libraries

by Rebecca Raeburn
Communications, Edinburgh
City of Literature Trust

5 October 2020

**Update - Craigmillar, Drumbrae, Gilmerton, and Westerhailes libraries are re-opening on 14 December 2020.

Central, Kirkliston, McDonald Road, Fountainbridge, Stockbridge and Newington libraries re-opened on Tuesday 6 October to the public. As a means of ensuring safety and compliance with Covid-19 guidelines, visitor numbers within buildings will be limited and social distancing measures will be in place.

As a city we are endlessly grateful for the work of the staff and volunteers who make our libraries what they are. Not only a home to books, they are also spaces of support and community. To welcome them back, we wanted to help people make use of their services and to share some information about each of the libraries re-opening next week.

What to expect?

IMAGE – Edinburgh Libraries – Guidelines

Central Library

Opening hours:

Monday: 1pm – 5pm, Tuesday: 10am – 5pm, Wednesday: 1pm – 5pm, Thursday: 10am – 5pm, Friday: 10am – 2pm, Saturday: 10am – 2pm.

Central Library, George IV Bridge, EH1 1EG.

Facebook page.

Kirkliston Library

Opening hours:

Monday: 1pm – 5pm, Tuesday: 10am - 2pm, Wednesday: 1pm – 5pm, Thursday: Closed, Friday: 10am - 2pm, Saturday: 10am – 2pm.

Kirkliston Library, 16 Station Road, EH29 9BE.

Facebook page.

McDonald Library

Opening hours:

Monday: 1pm – 5pm, Tuesday: 10am – 5pm, Wednesday: 1pm – 5pm, Thursday: 10am – 5pm, Friday: 10am – 2pm, Saturday: 10am – 2pm.

McDonald Library, 2 McDonald Road, EH7 4LU.

Facebook page.

Fountainbridge Library

Opening hours:

Monday: 1pm – 5pm, Tuesday: 10am - 2pm, Wednesday: 1pm – 5pm, Thursday: Closed, Friday: 10am- 2pm, Saturday: 10am – 2pm.

Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street, EH11 1BG.

Facebook page.

Stockbridge Library

Opening hours:

Monday: 1pm – 5pm, Tuesday: 10am - 2pm, Wednesday: 1pm – 5pm, Thursday: Closed, Friday: 10am - 2pm, Saturday: 10am – 2pm.

Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5BA.

Facebook page.

Newington Library

Opening hours:

Monday: 1pm – 5pm, Tuesday: 10am - 5pm, Wednesday: 1pm – 5pm, Thursday: 10am - 5pm, Friday: 10am - 2pm, Saturday: 10am – 2pm.

Newington Library, 11 Hamilton Place, EH9 2LN.

Facebook page.

From Tuesday 6 October, you will be able to return your books, but will have to book a slot to browse and borrow books, use a public computer, apply for a National Entitlement Card (bus pass), and collect hearing aid batteries. You can make your booking online here.

Additionally, Edinburgh Libraries' Home Delivery service continues to deliver library books to their most vulnerable and housebound customers. Their digital and online services are free to use for all library members, simply use your card information to access the resources on the library website. These services give you access to ebooks and audiobooks, academic articles, newspapers and magazines, educational games, skill training resources, family history guides, and much more.

The re-opening of the six libraries listed above also coincided with Libraries Week. This year, Libraries Week took place from 5-10 October celebrating the theme ‘Your Passport to Reading', which sought to showcase libraries and their vital contributions to the UK’s book culture.