Click, Call and Collect service to start from tomorrow as Swindon Library Service begins to reopen
A phased reopening of Swindon Borough Council-run libraries will start from tomorrow (Tuesday 14 July) as a Click, Call and Collect service is introduced at Central Library.
The Council’s four other libraries will operate a similar service in two weeks’ time.
Since March, in line with government coronavirus guidelines, the Council’s five libraries have been closed to the public. After the lifting of government restrictions, additional national guidance was released last week outlining how libraries can reopen.
Library staff have been working hard to start to prepare council libraries, in line with national guidance, making sure all buildings are COVID-secure and residents and staff are safe when using the service.
The resumption of these services will be a phased process over the next few months, starting with the Click, Call and Collect service in July, followed by a wider reopening, currently scheduled for later in August. More detail on the August opening will follow in the coming weeks.
From tomorrow (14 July), Central Library will open with limited hours and only to operate a Click, Call and Collect service. This service will involve customers reserving books either over the phone or online.
The Click, Call and Collect service will only be available at Central Library for the first week, and will then be introduced to North Swindon, West Swindon, Highworth and Park Libraries on Monday 27 July, following additional work to make those buildings COVID-secure.
When books are ready to be collected, customers will be contacted by a member of staff and asked to collect their items from the Central Library, during the designated opening times. For vulnerable residents or those unable to visit the library in person, books can be collected on their behalf.
When open for collections, library buildings will have very limited access with many only opening foyers to exchange books. Residents will not be able to access the buildings’ other services such as toilets, computers or study areas.
The libraries’ many digital services will continue to operate, including the new Instant Digital Membership system; an expanded range of eResources; an increased and improved selection of eBooks; eMagazines, eNewspapers and eComics and a series of regular online story times shared on YouTube and Facebook.
Councillor Russell Holland, Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills, said: “Libraries provide a vital service for our communities and I am glad we can now announce the resumption of some services.
“Our staff have been working hard, within national guidelines, to get library buildings open and to get access to physical books up and running as soon as possible, while ensuring the safety of both residents and staff. The Click, Call and Collect service will give people access to our books, while also making sure we do our part to continue to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“We also have a fantastic digital offer that is still available and I would encourage people to look at the services available through that part of the library service.”
Any residents interested in services available at non council-run community libraries, will need to contact those individual libraries for information on reopening.
More information on the reopening of the Council’s libraries, including the Click, Call and Collect service can be found on the Council’s website here: https://www.swindon.gov.uk/reopeninglibraries