Lincolnshire’s Libraries set to reopen next week with new takeaway service

Libraries in Boston, Gainsborough, Grantham, Horncastle, Lincoln Central, Long Sutton, Louth, Mablethorpe, Market Rasen, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding, Stamford and Woodhall Spa will be open for communities to use.

The sites will open in line with government guidance, and will have a number of safety measures in place, including entry on a one-in-one-out system, more frequent cleaning, stock quarantining and hand sanitising stations.

A number of sites will have different opening hours and will have new ways of working – including a new Library Takeaway – where residents can call or email with their interests or reserve specific items themselves via the online library catalogue.

Staff will select items for customers and then call them to arrange a convenient day and time for collection.

Libraries will also offer limited access to a PC for those without access at home, although these will need to be pre-booked via library staff in advance.

All existing loans have been extended to September 1, so residents do not need to worry about incurring any charges if they are unable to visit a reopened library due to shielding or location.

All returned items will be quarantined for 72 hours before making them available for others to borrow.

Councillor Nick Worth, executive member for culture and heritage at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Working in partnership with GLL, our library service provider, we’ve been working hard to get our core libraries ready for reopening next week.

“Safety is of paramount importance, so we’re doing all we can to make sure they are COVID-19 compliant, so people can get back to using the service.

“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming our readers and users back.

“That said, we know that some residents will chose to continue to access our services in a different way, so our digital library is always open and your Lincolnshire Library Card gets you access to thousands of ebooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, online newspapers, learning resources and emusic.

“Simply, visit https://lincolnshire.spydus.co.uk/ for more details.”

Nicola Rogers, Better partnership manager for Lincolnshire Libraries added: “Library staff are working hard behind the scenes readying our main libraries for the welcome return of customers from 13 July.

“Things will look and feel a little different of course, as we prioritise the safety of customers and staff.

“We’d encourage customers to visit our website www.better.org.uk/Lincolnshire-libraries where we’ve published full details of our reopening services as well as libraries new temporary opening hours. We are also posting regular updates on our @Lincslibraries Facebook and Twitter pages.

“We thank customers for bearing with us at this time and look forward to serving them once again when we reopen.”

Hubs, as mostly run by the community, will reopen later in the Summer.