A NUMBER of libraries across Worcestershire will reopen next month after being closed for three months because of the coronavirus lockdown.
Six of Worcestershire’s libraries are currently due to re-open on Saturday, July 4 pending confirmation from Government and in line with phase three of Central Government’s relaxing of lockdown restrictions.
The re-opening of the county’s libraries will be carefully phased, managed and monitored and only limited services will be available until social distancing restrictions are relaxed or removed.
Libraries at The Hive in Worcester, Redditch, Kidderminster, Malvern, Bromsgrove and Evesham will be the first to re-open their doors from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.
Coun Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for Communities, said: “I am really glad we’re in a position where we can begin to re-open the county’s libraries but there are lots of changes we’ve had to make in order to meet the restrictions of the testing times we’re in.
A ‘Reserve & Collect’ service will replace browsing and borrowing in libraries. Customers will be able to reserve items and collect them from a library that has re-opened.
A limited number of public computers will be available each day on a booking only basis. All library items on loan can be returned to the libraries that are open – the return dates for all items on loan will be extended to August 31.
Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/DigitalLibraryHub for more.
