Libraries
Appointments are no longer be required to browse in any West Lothian Council library or community museum.
Now that all libraries are fully open we ask that all books due for return be taken asap to any West Lothian library. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please help us continue to improve by completing our: Customer & Community Services - Customer Satisfaction survey.
Following confirmation by the Scottish Government of the lifting restrictions such as physical distancing and household numbers, changes are being made to the service currently provided.
Library customers will be able to access their favourite books faster, with the 72-hour quarantine for returned materials no longer required.
Appointments will also no longer be required to browse in any West Lothian Council library or community museum. To ensure the safety of staff and customers, visitor numbers will remain limited based on the capacity at each library; queues may be experienced during busy periods.
Due to demand Click & Collect will remain with a few changes to streamline the service - Customers will continue to reserve their items from the library catalogue and will be contacted when they are available to collect from a designated collection point in the library, then check out the items, either at the self-service kiosk or library reception, at any time during library opening hours.
PC access will remain by appointment only and can be booked by telephoning the library you wish to visit or online here.
Face coverings will still be required unless you are exempt, and Test and Protect procedures through Check in Scotland will still be in place.
All visitors will also be encouraged to maintain good hand hygiene with washing and sanitising facilities available in every venue, with a one-way system in place and windows and doors open where possible to increase ventilation.
Customers will be encouraged to wipe down touch points before and after use on machines such as self-check machines, PCs and photocopiers, with use of self-check machines promoted to reduce contact with staff.
Our staff will be on hand for assistance if required and if physical distancing can be maintained.
cloudLibrary App - Borrowing books just got easier and safer
Introducing cloudLibrary a fantastic, modern way to check out books from the library via your smartphone or tablet. Download the cloudLibrary by bibliotheca app from your app store and register using your library membership number and PIN. When you visit the library and have selected the books you wish to borrow, simply scan their barcodes using your smartphone or tablet, finish the checkout process in the app, then pack your books and go!
Key features of the cloudLibrary app include:
- manage your library account online
- search the online library catalogue
- reserve physical books
- renew physical book loans
- receive interactive receipts for physical items borrowed
- provides a clear list of borrowed items and return due dates
- view your borrowing history
- receive notifications of return dates
- view and cancel reservations
- add multiple library memberships to your account e.g. parents can add their children's accounts.
- customise your app using engaging genre-based avatars and colour themes
Please click the following link for user guide leaflet: 
cloudLibrary App User Guide [546.11KB]
Current methods of checking out items, such as self-service kiosks, and handing to library staff can still be used.
If you require any assistance with downloading or using cloudLibrary please ask a member of staff in any West Lothian library or email: library.info@westlothian.gov.uk
New memberships: You can still join the library by completing the online application on our library membership webpage
Latest Updates regarding Council Building and Facilities in relation to Coronavirus (COVID 19)
