Improving Community Hub and Library Services
We're exploring options to extend opening hours and improve access to community hub and library spaces across the borough. Many of our community hub and libraries are closed three days a week. These proposals will make spaces more accessible and flexible.
What we're proposing
We are planning to:
- Increase opening hours across community hub and library spaces
- Introduce self-access technology to enable registered library members to safely use libraries outside of staffed hours.
- Improve access to study space, books, computers and printing services
- Provide more opportunities for community groups and local organisations to use library spaces
- Modernise customer technology and library facilities
- Give greater flexibility for residents to access services at times that suit them
All libraries and community hubs will remain open and continue operating from their current locations. Everyone can continue to use and enjoy community hubs and libraries as they do now during current opening times with help on hand if needed.
Similar self-access models are already successfully operating in local authorities across the UK and internationally. This will work in addition to self-service kiosks which are currently in use in our libraries for checking in and out library materials.
For more information, please see FAQs.
Why we're asking for your views
Your feedback will help us understand:
- Which opening hours would work best for residents.
- Better understand what you value most about the community hubs and libraries
- What services people want during extended hours
- How we can improve our services, now and in the future
- What would make you feel safe, and how we can improve accessibility, during unstaffed hours
- How community hubs and libraries can better support you
Who can take part?
Anyone who lives, works or studies in Hounslow or uses community hub and libraries across the borough.
How can you get involved?
Complete the short survey below, available until 20 October 2026.
An easy read survey will be added shortly for people with learning disabilities and others who may benefit from a more accessible format.
Come to an in-person pop-up event in a community hub and library near you, this autumn.
Event Type | Event Date & time | Location |
Libraries | ||
Hounslow | 8 Sept 2.30 - 4.30pm | Library |
| Bedfont | 14 Sept 2.30 - 4.30pm | Library |
Feltham | 15 Sept 1.30 - 3.30pm | Library |
| Beavers | 16 Sep 10.30 - 12.30pm | Library |
Chiswick | 22 Sept 1.30 - 3.30pm | Library |
Meadowbank | 5 Oct 11am - 1pm | Library |
Hanworth | 6 Oct 4 - 6pm | Library |
Heston | 7 Oct 3 - 5pm | Library |
Isleworth | 13 Oct 3 - 5pm | Library |
Osterley | 19 Oct 11am - 1pm | Library |
Brentford | 20 Oct 11am - 1pm | Library |
Community Hubs | ||
Community Hub | 8 Sept 10am - 12pm | Hounslow House |
Online Meetings | ||
Virtual Meeting | 14 Oct 6 - 7pm | To register please email Consult@hounslow.gov.uk if you would like to attend. |
Area Forums | ||
Hounslow South, Isleworth, Osterley and Spring Grove Area Forum | 14 September | Isleworth Public Hall, South St, Isleworth TW7 7BG |
Chiswick Area Forum | 16 September | Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, London W4 4JN |
Brentford and Syon Area Forum | 21 September | Brentford Free Church, Boston Manor Road, Brentford, TW8 8DW |
Bedfont and Feltham Area Forum | 24 September | Feltham Assembly Hall, Feltham Park, Hounslow Rd, Feltham TW14 9DN |
Central Hounslow Area Forum | 12 October | Holy Trinity Church. 6 High St, TW3 1HG |
Hanworth Area Forum
| 15 October | Oriel Academy West London, Hounslow Rd, Hanworth, TW13 6QQ |
Community Outreach | ||
Summer on the Green Housing Event | 19 Sept 12.30 - 4pm | Redwood Estate, Cranford, Hounslow, TW5 9PL |
To ensure a wide range of perspectives are represented, we will work with Hounslow’s equality partnerships, including the Disability and Age Equality Partnership and the Race Equality and Ethnic Diversity Partnership, to hear from underrepresented communities.
We will also engage children and young people including through school librarians, providing opportunities for them to share their views and ensuring their voices contribute meaningfully to the feedback gathered.
Email – you can find the survey questions for both the full survey and shortened easy read survey under 'Important Documents'. Download the file, complete it, and email it back to consult@hounslow.gov.uk. You can attach, scan, or take a photo of the completed survey.
Libraries – you can pick up a copy of survey or a postcard at your local library and give your completed survey to any member of staff.
Post – you can find the survey questions under 'Important Documents' on the right. Post your completed survey to: Community Hub and Library Service, London Borough of Hounslow, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB.
Please make sure it arrives by Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
If you need a paper copy, large print or a translation, please email consult@hounslow.gov.uk or call 020 8583 2000. If you need an easy read version of this information please contact consult@hounslow.gov.uk
What happens next?
We will review all feedback received through surveys, events, focus groups and engagement activities.
Check back here for a summary showing what we heard and how your feedback will influence how library services look like the future.
Moving forward, we will work with communities living close to each of our libraries, to make sure the right approach is being taken for them.
