Staff shortages force library changes

SLOUGH: Libraries in the Slough area are set for altered opening hours or self-serve provision this month and beyond due to staff shortages..

Some libraries will also be shut on certain days.

The decision to provide the short-term reduced service is due to a ‘high number of staff vacancies and some staff sickness’.

Until now, the existing library team, with help from others in the council, has been operating as normal, however, this cannot continue.

Changes include:.

■ Friday, August 19 Britwell is self-serve only from 9am-5pm. Cippenham is closed and the Curve and Langley are open.

■ Monday, August 22 –

Britwell staffed 1.30pm5pm and self-serve from 9am-1.30pm. Langley is closed and the Curve and Cippenham are open.

■ Thursday, August 25 – Britwell is self-serve only from 9am-5pm. Langley is closed and the Curve and Cippenham are open.

■ Friday, August 26 – Britwell is self-serve only from 9am-5pm. Cippenham and Langley are closed and the Curve is open.

■ Wednesday, August 31 – Langley is open from 12pm-5pm. Britwell is staffed from 1.30pm-5pm and self-serve from 9am1.30pm. The Curve and Cippenham are open.

The council is working on a rota for September.

On the days that selfserve will operate only in Britwell, residents will be able to borrow, return and renew books through the self-serve kiosks.

Visitors can still book and use the public computers, print from them, and use the WiFi.

There will be instruction notices put up which provide the contact numbers for other libraries open on that day.

Liz McMillan, locality hubs and library services manager, said: “We are really disappointed to have to make these changes, but the pressure on existing staff is too much.”

Residents who had made appointments to see a customer adviser on a day the library is closed will be contacted for alternative arrangements to be made.