Gone out backson bisy backson

We're currently short staffed - down to one full timer and a part timer, the other full timer being off sick. Next week our part timer will be on leave. While we're trying to get anything you request from us as quickly as normal it does mean we have a slight issue with covering our advertised hours. We've had to close early once or twice, and we've had to close at lunch from time to time.

If you are making a special trip to see us then please give us a ring before you set out.

When we close we open the book drop box, so you can leave your books there. The wesbite and all the stuff you can do with Athens carries on while we're not here.

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Closed

This Monday - 14th April - the library will close at 12.30. Apologies for this - it's due to a mix of staff sickness and my needing to be out for the day.

The book drop box will be open, all the usual gubbins is online, you can leave an email or voicemail message. We'll be back on Tuesday.

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Easter

The library will be closed for the whole of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Go easy on the chocolate...

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Early closing

Due to staff holidays there are only going to be 2 of us in the library in the morning and just one in the afternoon. To ensure we can stay open I've given my apologies for various meetings and events. However, there are two I am really keen to go to. As I can't be in two places at once the library will close when I go off to these (a patient information meeting and a mentoring event).

So the library will close at 3.30 on Wednesday 19th September and at 3.45 on Tuesday 25th September. Don't forget the blue book drop box. You can also email or leave a message on the voice mail.

Change of hours

As of Monday 14th May the library will cease to offer an evening service. You will tell me that it's a shame. But do you ever use the library in the evenings? No - you don't. We surveyed use last year and it was very low. I sat on my own here yesterday evening. I got lots of bits and bobs done, but it's not the best use of my time.

So - come and see us during office hours - Monday to Thursday 09.00 to 17.00 and Friday 09.00 to16.30. Out of hours you can access the online services (with your Athens password!) at home, in a public library or internet cafe. Don't forget the PCs in Cafe Blue (a.k.a. "the canteen" in the main general hospital building.

You can always drop us an email or leave a voice mail message out of hours.

Change of opening hours (again)

Easter is upon us, I am taking leave and another team member has gone off sick, so as of today the opening hours for this week and next are:

Today (Monday 2nd April) - 09.00-17.00
Tuesday - 09.00-17.00
Wednesday - 09.00-17.00
Thursday - 09.00-17.00
Good Friday, weekend, Easter Monday - CLOSED
Tuesday - 09.00-17.00

Hours from Wednesday 11th onwards to be advised, depending on the health of the team!

Easter closure

The library will be

closed

over the long Easter weekend

6th to 9th April

Normal opening hours resume on Tuesday 10th.

Happy Easter!

The North wind doth blow...

...and the library team are praying that there will be no more snow as tomorrow (26th January) the first windows in the library are being replaced.

The job will take the best part of the week. We'll be closed because the library will be no place to study - it will be cold, noisy and full of solvent fumes. We also anticipate having to box up some of the journals and maybe some books so that bookcases can be moved to make it easier for the workmen to reach the windows.

While we're closed we're happy to take emails and phone calls. You can also return books to us.
Normal service resumes on Monday 5th of February. Meantime - don't forget to make the most of your online goodies with your Athens password!

Farewell Monday evenings

Sadly the library will now be closing at 5pm on Mondays. This is because the member of library staff who is working late comes in late and with just three of us we don't have enough bodies to cover mornings in case of holidays, sickness and (the most likely scenario) one of us being out at meetings. It just takes one to be at a meeting and one to be on leave to have no one in the library - or, as happened recently, two of us off sick!

I'd always rather offer hours I can guarantee to cover, rather than opening and closing at short notice. So, painful as it is, hopefully lopping off an evening will ensure that we can offer a full service for the rest of the week.

The library will continue to stay open until 7pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Fridays we close at 4.30pm.

Christmas is coming...

The library will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and again on New Year's Day. It will be open normal hours on the week beginning the 18th December and again from 2nd January.

In the week between Christmas and New Year the hours will be 9am to 5pm on the Wednesday and Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on Friday. So if you are seeking respite from in laws, washing up, turkey sandwiches etc then why not pop in and join the team.

Sara