LIBRARIES cross the borough reopened on Monday, April 12 in line with the Government’s easing of lockdown restrictions.

Initially all libraries will operate on reduced opening hours to allow staff to carry out additional work in relation to operating in a Covid safe environment.

This includes allowing time for track and trace and additional cleaning of sites, as they did when libraries reopened following the first national lockdown, which was managed in a controlled and safe way for staff and customers.

Borough libraries, including Life centres, will be open between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Friday, while the borough’s community libraries will be open between 10am and 2pm Monday to Wednesday and 1pm until 5pm Thursday and Friday.

Lesley O’Halloran, director of customer and culture, said: “We are really excited to welcome residents back to our libraries and we are ensuring that we are doing it as safely as possible and in line with government guidance.

“The libraries will initially be operating on reduced hours but members will continue to have access to all the services they would do under normal circumstances.”

Going forward there will be regular reviews of opening hours in line with government guidance.

See here for more.