Due to the current lockdown (November 2020), some opening hours and services have changed. See our update here.
We will continue restarting library services in a phased process over the next few months. The phased restart will make sure we operate in line with Government guidance, and that you and our staff are safe at all times.
We are automatically extending books that were borrowed before lockdown in March 2020 for those customers who are unable to visit a library at this time. The date on these books are extended until January 2021.
Any books borrowed now will have an extended loan period of 6 weeks.
A library membership card is valid for 2 years (6 months if a digital card). Any membership due to lapse between now and January 2021 will be automatically extended until April 2021.
To our library members who have visited us since we began our re-opening process, we are grateful that you have adapted to new processes so well and thank you for the positive comments we’ve received when you’re visiting – together we’re making things work!
From Monday 12th October, we are extending our opening hours at our Core Libraries:
Our available services remain the same, however our Quick Choice procedure has changed slightly for both Central and West Swindon Library.
Click on the relevant library to find out what services are available:
Community Libraries
The current opening hours for Community Libraries can be found here.
Services Not Available
While phased re-opening continues, several library facilities and services will be unavailable. Not currently available:
- Extended Access
- Face to face enquiry service
- Customer toilets or baby changing facilities
- Photocopying
- Study space in the library
- Events, meetings or activities
- Story Times and Rhyme Times (online only)
- Face to face Local Studies enquiries (the Local Studies team will continue with an email-only service: localstudies@swindon.gov.uk)
Online Services
During lockdown, we built on our already extensive digital offer to ensure our members could continue enjoying library services. These include:
- Our digital membership system, providing residents a faster and easier way to become library members
- An expanded range of eResources giving you free access to premium websites
- An increased and improved selection of ebooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers
- For the first time, a range of eComics are now available
- A series of regular online story times are now shared on YouTube and Facebook
Making Our Libraries COVID-Secure
While preparing for the resuming of library services, Swindon Library & Information Service have complied with the government’s guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19. A COVID-19 risk assessment has been completed.
Thorough cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures are in place in line with guidance and all reasonable steps have been taken to maintain a two-metre distance between staff and customers, where possible. Where a two-metre distance cannot be maintained, steps have been taken to manage transmission risk.
During collection and returns, we would ask all customers to use the hand sanitiser provided. You are required to wear a mask or face covering when visiting the library. Please ensure you arrive wearing your mask or face covering.
All books and other items returned to us will be quarantined for 72 hours to reduce the possibility of infection. While collecting or returning items, you may experience some socially-distanced queuing as we will operate a one-in, one-out policy. This will ensure the maximum number of people inside our libraries stays within guidelines.
Swindon Libraries & Info. Service 
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