Libraries set to reopen in Cambridgeshire but not yet in Peterborough

Book lovers can now order titles and collect them from libraries in Cambridgeshire from next week when government restrictions are lifted.

Cambridgeshire County Council is starting a phased re-opening of library services from Monday, July 6, in line with the latest health and safety guidelines.

The council’s nine major libraries - Cambridge Central, Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots, Bar Hill, Cambourne, Ely, March and Wisbech will be re-opening. For opening times visit here.

Gary Porter, Head of Libraries and Communities at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Our libraries play a vital role for our communities and the phased re-opening will no doubt come as welcome news to many residents.

However the City Council is still working with Vivacity to make a plan for the re-opening of Peterborough libraries following Covid-19 and says it will be updating the public as soon as possible. Online services will continue as normal.

In order to maintain a safe environment, a number of service changes have been made to Cambridgeshire libraries. Customers will be required to maintain social distancing outside library entrances and once inside the buildings, will not be able to browse titles.

Mr Porter said: “The health and safety of our staff is an utmost priority, so we would ask customers to please be patient when collecting books and adhere to social distancing guidance. We always welcome your feedback so please let us know about any issues around our library services.”

To help people access the books they want, the county council is introducing a new service called ‘Select and Collect’. Customers can go online to choose titles according to their preferences (eg genre, fiction, non-fiction, talking books or children’s books) and then collect them from libraries.

To order a book using Select and Collect visit here or call the customer service centre on 0345 045 5225. Customers will be notified when their books are ready to collect. As of last Friday people could agains make reservations of individual titles.

The county council plans to have all other libraries open by August 3 for two days per week and says it will continue to review the situation.

Library meeting rooms will remain closed and events and activities will not resume until it is safe to do so. Mobile library services will also remain closed until further notice.

Public access IT facilities will be available by appointment only, with a limit of one 45 minute appointment per day per customers.

For more information about library services visit: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-culture/libraries

The county’s archives service is also re-opening. More details here: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-culture/archives