Leisure homepage header imageSupport our residents

We want to support the ambitions of our residents in less affluent areas to improve their lives and communities. We believe that physical, social and economic regeneration will support this.

 

Libraries

Your library will be getting even betterRefurbishment - Workmen

We are carrying out building work to improve Kensal Library. Self-service terminals will be offered and there will be better facilities for our customers.

Due to the scale of the work it is necessary to close the library to the public on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 May 2012.

To find out more, please ask a member of staff or call 020 7361 3010.

The full programme of library improvements can be viewed on our Service Improvements page.


Upcoming Events

Events June
Visit our upcoming events pages to find out more about what's going on in your local library June.


Central Library service announcementKensington Central Library Golden Statue

The first floor will be closed on Tuesday 8 May.
On Wednesday 9 May an improved Local Studies and central area of the Reference library will reopen as normal; the remainder of the Reference Library will then close for approximately eight weeks.

During this time a restricted service will continue to operate in the Reference Library, with no public computers and approximately 75 per cent of stock available. Temporary access will be available via the stairs and lift located on the ground floor of the library’s west wing. Services in the rest of the building will be unaffected.

Further information is available on our website. Please ask a member of staff or email libraries@rbkc.gov.uk for further details.

If you’d like to keep up-to-date with the latest Library Service news, you can register for e-updates by visiting our Central works page.

 

Planned building and service improvements

Works continuing on the first floorRefurbishment - Workmen
On Tuesday 8 May there will be no library services on the first floor. A restricted service will operate from Wednesday 9 May. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

For further information, please ask a member of staff or email libraries@rbkc.gov.uk.

If you’d like to keep up-to-date with the latest Library Service news, you can register for e-updates by visiting our Central works page.


Improvements include:

  • self-service technology for faster and easier use
  • increased and improved computer facilities
  • new and improved book stock
  • a revamped Local Studies area
  • a new young people’s zone on the ground floor


To register for e-updates and the latest information visit our Service Improvement page.

For more information on alternative study spaces and PC resources available in other branches or boroughs please download this document about Alternative Libraries [PDF] (file size 16Kb).


Please take ten minutes to complete this survey about the online jobseekers information (see our jobseekers advice pages).

Your involvement will help us improve the services we provide, and there is a prize draw of £100 for those taking part. Complete the survey.



Library closure dates for 2012

The Library Service will be closed on the following public and bank holidays.

Library closure dates for 2012

Library closure dates

Reason

Dates

May Bank Holidays

Monday 7 May 2012 — Closed

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Holiday

Monday 4 June 2012 — Closed

Tuesday 5 June 2012 — Closed

August Bank Holidays

Monday 27 August 2012 — Closed

Christmas and New Year

Monday 24 December 2012 – Closing at 2pm

Tuesday 25 December 2012 – Closed

Wednesday 26 December 2012 – Closed

Monday 31 December 2012 – Closing at 4pm

Tuesday 1 January 2013 – Closed

 


Joined up library services from three boroughs

Triborough banner

In June 2011 the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Councils agreed the Tri-borough proposal to create an integrated libraries and archives service. This is about maintaining and improving libraries whilst making savings by organising the management and administration of the service across a wider geographic area.





Library information

Chelsea

  • Library Strategy [PDF] (file size 434Kb) - paper copies of the strategy are available in our libraries.
Page last updated: 25/05/2012