Joy for city’s readers as more libraries re-open

28 May 2021

Aberdeen’s army of book fans received a further boost as Aberdeen City Libraries today (Friday 28 May) announced further re-openings as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

On Monday 31 May Kincorth and Woodside Libraries will reopen to welcome back regular users and new members for limited browsing, borrowing, and computer access. The initial reduced opening hours will be:

Woodside Library – 10am-1pm (Monday & Thursday) & 2pm-5pm (Monday/Wednesday/Thursday)

Kincorth Library – 10am-1pm (Tuesday-Thursday) & 2pm-5pm (Tuesday & Thursday)

The two sites join Central, Airyhall, Bridge of Don, Cove, Culter, Dyce, Mastrick and Tillydrone libraries which have already reopened.

The opening hours for each are 10am - 1pm (Monday - Saturday) and 2pm - 5pm (Monday - Friday), with the exception of Culter Library which will open 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm (Monday - Thursday).

Councillor M Taqueer Malik, Aberdeen City Council’s Education Operational Delivery Convener, said: “Our library service has done a tremendous job in providing Click and Collect and Home Library Services since July last year and it’s great that we are now able to welcome back our customers in person while still maintaining full access to our wide range of digital online resources including eBooks and eNewspapers”.

Readers have embraced the digital library offering with online membership registration increasing by 310% year-on-year and usage of the digital resources increasing by over 200%.

Councillor Claire Imrie, Vice-Convener of Education Operational Delivery, said: “The take up of the digital services during lockdown has been nothing short of staggering. We know how it important the library service is to our users and the local communities, so we are delighted to be able to welcome people back into our buildings.”

Users commented positively on the re-openings via social media, with comments including:

"It's great you are open again...the library is part of who I am. Thank you all"

"It's so great to be back in the library" and “It's so good to get back into my favourite place.”

If you are not already a member of Aberdeen City Libraries, you can join for free online or visit your local library.

For full details on the current level of Aberdeen City Libraries services and resources delivery, please visit our website - Aberdeen City Libraries - service delivery update | Aberdeen City Council

Photograph shows Councillor M Taqueer Malik and Councillor Claire Imrie