The Central Library is back open to the public, albeit with shortened business hours.
Library officials announced Monday that the central branch on Dundas St. will be open from 9am to 5pm daily.
The library was forced to close its doors last Tuesday when part of its electrical system broke down. The power issue also knocked out internet access and phones to the city's 15 other library branches.
"We are being powered by a very large generator at the current time, which is allowing us to be open, " says Ellen Hobin, spokesperson for the London Public Library. "So what has been affected are our evening hours."
Hobin says, the evening programming has been canceled for the rest of the week.
Most other services including internet access , printing, and photocopying, are now available.The wireless internet has so far been intermittent but Hobin says they have hopes it will be fully functional by the end of the day Monday.
She adds they are not sure how long they will be relying on the generator.
"The repair obviously has become a little more comprehensive than we initially though," says Hobin. "So, we're working on a permanent solution which we should know how that's preceding later on this week."
The library is reducing the added cost of the generator by cutting hours until the electrical system is restored.
Hobin says those heading to the library will not notice any difference in the level of service.
"Both patrons and staff alike are both really happy to be back open, but other than that they shouldn't notice any difference in terms of what they can access when at the library," says Hobin. "Course our 15 branch locations will have regular operating hours and they'll have all of the services as well."
The library is waiving fines due to the closure on borrowed materials. Additionally, for those who had books on hold during the closure, the items will be kept until Saturday at 5 pm.
**This story was written by Kayley Leon, a student in the Media, Theory, and Production program at Western University. Kayley is currently performing an internship with BlackburnNews.com**