Peterborough’s Central Library to reopen

Opening times will be Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm and Saturday, 10am – 2pm.

Unfortunately, Open+ (the library self-service option) will not operate during this time.

Vivacity and Peterborough City Council have undertaken a thorough risk assessment to ensure the safety of staff and customers and several measures will be in place to ensure this.

These include:

- Monitoring the number of customers allowed in the library to ensure that there is adequate space for social distancing.

- A queuing system outside the building will be in place.

- Customers will be asked to provide their name and number for track and trace purposes.

- Hand sanitiser will be available for customers to use on entrance to and exit from the library. It will be compulsory for users to wear a face covering whilst on the premises (these will not be provided).

- Book selection will be restricted to 30 minutes for the library and 1 hour for customers wishing to use the public network (computer suite).

- Seating and newspapers have been removed.

- Library staff will ensure all books returned to the library are quarantined for 72 hours before being returned to the shelves.

Anyone wishing to use the public network, can book a one hour slot by visiting the library or phoning 01733 864280 – all necessary cleaning and social distancing measures will be in place to keep customers safe.

Central library is the first of the City’s ten libraries to open following closure due to the pandemic. Other libraries will open in a phased approach over the next six weeks.

During this time, library members can return their books from any other library to Central Library (however, this is optional). Fines for overdue books will be waived until all libraries are open.

Vivacity will continue running library services until mid-September when the service will transfer to the city council.