COVID-19: Library Services Currently Available

• Services currently available
• What visitors cannot do
• COVID-19 safety measures
• Libraries opening times
• Library book fines resume from 3 December 2020
• Online resources

Services currently available

We are welcoming customers back into libraries from 3 December 2020.

Whilst a visit to the library is a little different at the moment, we still have a fantastic range of books and online resources to choose from. If you need to get online, our computers are available too. We are currently working at expanding our digital offer and creating support to access it.

All Haringey libraries (except Stroud Green and Harringay Libraries) will offer the following services:

Drop Boxes

Users can return books in a designed ‘Drop Box’ situated inside the library. Items will be placed into quarantine before being removed from accounts.

Grab & Go

Browse our stock for a maximum time limit of 20 minutes. There will be a maximum occupancy, with one-way systems applied where possible.

Click & Collect

Collect preselected bags (Ready Reads) and/or specific titles ordered in advance online or by phone.

• Ready Reads
  Ready Reads is a new way to borrow books from Haringey libraries. Simply let us know what you like to read, and we’ll choose a selection of books for you. You won’t be able to request specific authors or titles, but we’ll do our best to find books you’ll enjoy. There are six books in each pack and only one pack is available per library card. We will contact you when they are ready to collect. There are two ways to order your pack:
  • by phone - call us on 020 8489 2700 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
  • via the dedicated Ready Reads online form.
• Request specific titles
  You can request specific titles and collect them from your chosen library by visiting our library catalogue. Alternatively, you can call us on 020 8489 2700 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Limited computer use

Important: If you want to use a computer at any of our libraries during COVID-19 you must book in advance.

To comply with social distancing requirements, we have had to reduce capacity and computer use is restricted to one hour per day.

How to book

Visit our dedicated Computers, WiFi and Printing page to find out more and book.

Study spaces

Bookable study spaces are currently available at Hornsey and Marcus Garvey, with two timeslots available per day. These are:

• 10am to 12.45pm
• 1pm to 3.45pm

There are two ways to book:

• At the library
• By phone on 020 8489 2700 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Home Library Service

A dedicated service for the most vulnerable. For more info, see our dedicated Home Library Service page.

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What visitors cannot do

This means that currently, visitors cannot:

• use seating areas
• use a computer without booking in advance
• access Wi-Fi if not booked into a dedicated study area
• read newspapers or periodicals
• participate in group activities

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COVID-19 safety measures

In line with government guidance, visitors and staff must wear face coverings all the time, unless they are exempt (external link). Please do not visit the library if you’re self-isolating or have COVID-19 symptoms.

On arrival, you need to check-in using the NHS COVID-19 app (external link). Alternatively, a member of staff will take your details.

This is to assist NHS Test and Trace to contact individuals in the event of a local coronavirus outbreak. If requested, your details will be released to NHS Test and Trace only and no other party. Your details will be kept securely and destroyed by senior library officers after 21 days.

In addition, we have made changes to layouts and are asking visitors to limit the amount of time they spend in the library. Social distancing measures are in place including:

• queue management
• screens on Information Points
• hand sanitiser stations
• quarantine areas for returned books (books are kept in quarantine for 72 hours)
• customers and staff are required to wear face coverings inside the library
• increased cleaning of frequently handled areas including computers

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Library book fines resume from 3 December 2020

As most of our libraries have reopened to the public, items borrowed before lockdown in March are now due back by 3 December 2020. 

Alternatively, you can renew online:

Renew online

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Online resources

We have a wide range of library online services that you can explore - eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers, research tools and other online resources.

Library Online Services

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