PRE-ORDERING OF FAVOURITE THRILLERS COMES COURTESY OF FREE 'CLICK AND COLLECT' SERVICE

CUSTOMERS CAN CHOOSE TO GO ONLINE OR THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE INTERNET CAN USE A SPECIAL TELEPHONE LINE TO MAKE A RESERVATION

BOOK fans in Atherstone and district will soon have their own "takeaway" service as the first stage of reopening face-to-face library services after the disruption caused by Covid-19.

Today's launch of a new 'click and collect' service will enable customers to pre-order books online free of charge and pick them up from Atherstone Library at a pre-arranged time.

Six locations have been selected around the county and the first collections on an appointment basis go live from next Monday at Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington and Warwick.

Atherstone, along with Stratford-upon-Avon, will follow on July 20.

From next Tuesday there will be an additional service of being able to phone or email book reservation requests.

The promotion of virtual library services has led to a dramatic increase in the number of individuals accessing digital resources.

New online library memberships have soared as Atherstone and its communities turn to a good book and relaxing music to "lift the spirits" during Covid-19 lockdown.

Avid bookworms across the town and surrounding villages have opted for drama to help turn their minds away from the pandemic crisis.

Warwickshire Libraries have continued to offer online and delivery services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, such as access to e-books and e-audiobooks through the BorrowBox online app, e-newspapers and digital reference resources, and a home book delivery service for vulnerable and self-isolating residents.

Unsung heroes have battled on through the coronavirus outbreak to provide a "lifeline from isolation" to more than 30 people in Atherstone and district suffering ill health or disability.

More than 1,300 people have joined the library service in Warwickshire since lockdown began and downloads of eBooks and eAudiobooks have now passed the 50,000 mark – a 100 per cent increase in the number of downloads when compared to the previous three months – with over 2,500 residents signing up for BorrowBox.

Last month, there were over 60,000 searches of Warwickshire Libraries' free eSubscription services, which include Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Oxford University Press, Naxos classical music library and the Ancestry family history service.

Councillor Kam Kaur, Warwickshire County Council's portfolio holder for customer and transformation, said: "Having seen an enormous take-up of our enhanced digital resources, we're delighted that library users will once again be able to borrow physical books via 'Click and Collect' and pre-order their books online from this Wednesday.

"To manage numbers and keep everybody safe, book collection will be on an appointment basis in selected library locations.

"From next Tuesday, customers without access to the internet will also be able to contact a local library via telephone to reserve their books.

"Our libraries have been providing valuable digital services during the pandemic and I'm pleased that we are now looking at increasing the offer in a phased approach which has the safety of our staff and public as a priority."

Books will be issued for the standard three weeks and can be renewed online if not reserved by another customer. There will be no reservation charges.

People will also be able to return library books when they pick up their 'Click and Collect' books. Fines will be waived if items are returned late, but customers will be encouraged to return their items on time for the benefit of other customers who may be waiting for that item.

There will be pre-bookable access to a small number of computers at the library offering the 'click and collect' service.

These can be booked in advance from today onwards, with two computers available for 45-minute sessions.

These sessions need to be pre-booked using the online booking service at http://library.warwickshire.gov.uk or from Tuesday 14th July call 0300 555 8171 to speak to a member of staff about booking or email [email protected].