Atherstone library to return to click and collect only

Warwickshire County Council have announced that Atherstone library will only be open for click and collect services during the second national lockdown.

The library, which had recently reintroduced a grab and go system, which allowed customers to browse the shelves, will now be used for collection of books from Warwickshire Libraries' website.

Warwickshire Libraries customers can pre-order their books free of charge online, or they can phone 0300 555 8171 or email [email protected] with their book reservation requests.

Fines will also be waived, and customers need not worry about returning items during lockdown. Warwickshire Libraries want customers to stay safe and not to worry about the books they have borrowed.

There is pre-bookable access to computers at the libraries. This must be booked in advance, with computers available for 45-minute sessions. In order to keep customers and staff safe, staff support and scanning will not be available, but printing will be.

These sessions need to be pre-booked using the online booking service or call 0300 555 8171 to speak to a member of staff about booking or email [email protected].

A reduced contactless Mobile Library Service is currently in operation. Staff can select up to four books per customer to be collected from designated locations around Warwickshire. To arrange a collection of books, please contact the Mobile Library Team on 01926 851031 or [email protected].

Councillor Kam Kaur, Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation, said "Like other local authorities, in Warwickshire we are once again ensuring that our library services continue to operate, albeit in a different way, during this second lockdown.

"Although we have temporarily closed our library buildings for browsing, we have not closed the Warwickshire Libraries service, with our 'Click and Collect' service, contactless mobile library and home delivery service continuing to operate, and our digital libraries services being available online.

"We have seen an enormous take-up of our enhanced digital resources since the start of the pandemic, and library users across Warwickshire can still borrow physical books via 'Click and Collect', our contactless mobile libraries and the home delivery service during this lockdown.

"Customers without access to the internet can contact a local library via telephone to reserve their books.

"We will continue to offer our online services, including the ability to renew books online 24/7 on the Warwickshire Libraries webpage, borrow free eBooks and eAudio books and music through BorrowBox, and read eMagazines and eNewspapers online. All these services are completely free to Warwickshire Libraries users.

"Warwickshire Libraries staff have been working hard to develop our 'Click and Collect', home delivery and digital services during the pandemic and these will continue, while we ensure the safety of the public and our staff is the priority over the coming weeks."