The GWL building is reopening on Tuesday 4th May. We’re really looking forward to it! This week staff and volunteers have been busy at the building getting it ready for us to welcome visitors again.
What do you need to know?
- Unless you are exempt please bring a face covering to wear while you’re here.
- We’ll all be keeping a 2m distance from one another.
- We have plenty of sanitiser, and we will ask you to sanitise your hands when you arrive, and throughout your visit.
- Our opening hours for May will be 11am – 4pm, Tuesday – Friday.
- You can browse the books, read in one of our comfy chairs or study at one of the tables in our main library space, or you can become a borrower for free and take books home with you!
- We’ll continue to bring you online events and other ways to get involved with our work digitally in May and throughout the summer, including our literature festival Open the Door.
What changes might you notice since visiting last year?
- It’s brighter!
The lighting in our main library space has been upgraded to LED! It is brighter and the light is warmer, and it should significantly reduce our carbon emissions.
- It’s warmer!
All of our windows have been fitted with secondary glazing! This will considerably reduce heat loss throughout the building.
- It’s going to be easier to get in!
The beautiful wooden doors that lead into the library are being retrofitted with automatic openers. This work will be completed in the first few weeks of May, at the Main Entrance as well as the corridor through to the lift and into the Community Room.
See you next week! A warm welcome awaits.
Frequently Asked Questions about GWL’s Re-opening
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to Glasgow Women’s Library, whether you are a first time or a regular visitor.
Below are some answers to questions you might have about visiting GWL while Covid-19 is still a prevalent threat.
When is Glasgow Women’s Library open to the public?
We are taking a phased approach to re-opening GWL. We will open with reduced hours from Tuesday 4th May 2021.
Our current opening hours are:
Tuesday: 11am-4pm
Wednesday: 11am-4pm
Thursday: 11am – 4pm
Friday: 11am-4pm
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and Monday
We regularly review these hours following government guidance and will communicate any changes via our website and social media. You can also contact us to check that we are open. You can call us on 0141 550 2267 or email info@womenslibrary.org.uk
Do I need to book in advance or can I just turn up?
There is no need to book a visit in advance. If you want to borrow books, we invite you to browse our shelves respectfully and place any books you touch but don’t borrow on our ‘Changed Your Mind’ trolley. We quarantine all books that have been handled by the public. You can also use our ‘Select and Collect’ book borrowing service – and we’ll have your chosen books ready for you to collect when you come in to the library.
In this current phase of re-opening, only the main library space and the ground floor Events Space will be accessible to visitors.
Is it safe to borrow books?
Yes, we will be following the latest advice provided by library professional bodies and will set aside (quarantine) books for 7 days after they are returned or handled by visitors, and we have our wider hygiene systems in place.
Will I have to queue?
It is unlikely that you will need to queue, but if this is necessary, our staff will be on hand to help everyone to follow social distancing guidelines while in the queue.
Will I need to wear a face covering?
Yes, unless you are exempt.
Will staff be wearing face coverings or PPE?
Yes, staff and volunteers will wear face masks while walking around the Library, and the staff on Front of House / Reception will be behind screens. Staff working in non-public offices will not be required to wear face masks whilst at their desks but will be observing social distancing.
Will hand sanitiser be available?
Yes, hand sanitiser is in place when you come in, and at plenty of clearly signed locations around the Library.
What extra safety measures will be taken to ensure visitors and staff are protected?
Our priority is the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors and so we have made several changes to ensure that everyone is protected.
In addition to the new safety and hygiene measures mentioned above, we have installed clear screens at Front of House points, and in line with public health and government guidance we will ask you for your contact details for the Test and Protect scheme, so that you can be contacted if anyone who has visited the Library tests positive for Covid-19. Your contact details and all information will be dealt with and held securely in line with GDPR regulations.
Are your toilets open?
Yes, our toilet facilities will be available and we have introduced additional cleaning systems. There are plenty of points for regular hand washing.
Will GWL be hosting any public events or activities in the building?
We’re not able to run our usual range of events and activities in the building for the rest of this year, but we have an exciting programme of online digital events for you to enjoy.
Will the Library be available for venue hire / room bookings?
Not currently. We will be reviewing this regularly, in line with government guidelines.
Will the Library be open as a study space?
Yes, you are welcome to use our tables to work at. We ask that you wear a mask and that you are considerate of the space and our hygiene guidelines. However, if the space becomes busy, we may have to ask you to leave so that social distancing can be maintained. Researchers are able to access the archive collection with prior contact and by appointment only, by emailing info@womenslibrary.org.uk
Will tea and coffee be available?
Sadly, we can’t offer you tea or coffee at the moment but our welcome will still be warm, and any staff wearing a GWL badge will be happy to help you, or answer any questions or concerns you might have.
Will I be able to buy merchandise from the GWL shop?
Yes, but we can only accept payments by card and we ask that the items are not handled – please ask a staff member if you wish to buy an item. You can also buy online.
Will I be able to talk to GWL staff?
Yes. All of our staff have had special training to ensure they are fully aware of all of the guidance and will be available to safely support your visit to GWL.
Please feel free to talk to us at any point during your visit – we can be easily identified by our GWL badges.
What happens if a staff member who has been working in the Library becomes ill with Coronavirus?
If a member of staff is suspected of contracting Covid-19, team members who have come into contact with that colleague will self-isolate for 14 days and we will instigate our Test and Protect procedures to contact visitors to GWL that coincide with that colleague being on duty. We might have to pause our services, depending on our capacity, and updates will be provided on our website and Social Media platforms.
What if I have had Coronavirus symptoms?
You must not visit if you have had any symptoms of Coronavirus within the last 7 days.
This also applies if any member of your household has had symptoms within the past 14 days, or if you have had contact during that time with anybody who has subsequently developed symptoms of Coronavirus. In these cases, you should stay at home and self-isolate as per government guidelines.
Do you comply with the Good To Go Charter?
Yes! We’re delighted to have been awarded the Visit Scotland’s ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry charter mark. This means we meet all the required health and safety processes in place to ensure our visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit.
How long will these measures be in place?
The current measures are in line with Scottish Government guidelines and legislation, and will enable us to accommodate and protect our staff, volunteers and visitors. We are reviewing our approach regularly, so these measures may change as advice from the Scottish Government is updated.
My question isn’t answered here, how can I find the answer to my question?
If you haven’t been able to find the answer to your question here, please email us at info@womenslibrary.org.uk or call us during our opening hours on 0141 550 2267.
What if I have some feedback?
We are continually reviewing our approach and working practices, and appreciate your patience. We welcome all feedback. If you have any concerns or questions during your visit, please talk to a member of our team – they will be happy to help you. If you would like to make any comments following your visit, please e-mail: info@womenslibrary.org.uk
How can I support GWL?
We really do appreciate the many ways that people support us. During the lock down period, all the revenue we generate in venue hire, through tickets for some events and in shop sales has all been affected. If you feel able to support us to remain open and sustainable we would value your contribution.
You can become a Friend of GWL or make an online donation, or you might want to support our work by buying our merchandise, as all profits go back into GWL.
Please do keep in touch with us via our website and Social Media – you can find us on Facebook, Twitter (@womenslibrary) and Instagram (@womenslibrary).
You can also join our mailing list for monthly updates, or email us at info@womenslibrary.org.uk with any questions, comments or concerns
