What's happening with Wiltshire Council libraries during Lockdown 3?
The services will move to 'order and collect', with computers available to book too
Last updated 7th Jan 2021
Wiltshire Council closed all their libraries on Tuesday (5th January) after the national lockdown was announced.
They said they were assessing the information from Government before deciding how we'd be able to access services.
It's now been confirmed that libraries will have an 'order and collect' system for customers to borrow books.
That will start from 2.00pm this afternoon (Thursday 7th January) at Salisbury and Pewsey libraries, and from tomorrow (Friday 8th) at Amesbury and Mere.
HOW DOES ORDER AND COLLECT WORK?
Wiltshire Council's given us a rundown of what to expect:
- Let your local library know what kind of books you enjoy, by completing an online form or by phoning a library during their opening times
- You'll need to provide your library card number and phone number
- Twelve books will then be selected on your behalf or 20 for a family - audiobooks can also be selected if the person has an audiobook subscription or membership exemption
- When the books are available, the council's library team will contact you to arrange collection from the library entrance at a date and time that's convenient
- When you arrive, a library team member will ask for your name and to see your library card, and then pass on the books
- If you wish to reserve a specific book and collect it from one of the order and collect libraries, you can use the council's normal reservation service, at a cost of 95p
- Books are loaned for three weeks and will need to be renewed, if you wish to keep them longer - they can be returned through the library letter box at any time
- All returned books will be stored for 72 hours before being put back on the shelves and will still remain on the person's account until that time
COMPUTERS AVAILABLE FOR USE
Wiltshire Council are also allowing customers to book a slot to use a computer within their libraries.
Under a Government exemption, they're permitted to offer members use of a PC for essential uses if they can't otherwise access the internet.
Essential needs are things like job applications, benefits claims, accessing public services, online banking and financial information, for educational purposes or to keep in touch with people to support their mental health.
The computers are available for a 45 minute slot, and access won't be allowed without prior booking.
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Libraries, said:
"We are pleased that we are allowed to offer order and collect services as well as bookable computers to customers during the national lockdown.
"We look forward to many of our libraries opening for these services in the next few days, and continuing to support our communities across the county as much as possible at this time."
OTHER INFO
We're asked to use the nearest library to our home address, to reduce unnecessary travel.
Customers should wear a face covering unless exempt, and people should use hand sanitiser before using a computer.
All loan items will be renewed automatically, currently to the end of February.
The Home Library Service, supporting vulnerable customers in their own homes will continue.
The status of other libraries that aren't open at this time, such as Wilton, Downton and Tidworth will be kept under review.