Select and Collect service offered at limited number of libraries
07 Aug 2020 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
A select and collect service has been introduced at a limited number of libraries in Northumberland.
The pilot service was made available at Hexham, Blyth, Morpeth and Berwick w/c 27th July as part of the phased approach to services getting back up and running. From Monday 10 August the select and collect service will be available at five more libraries; Amble, Bedlington, Haltwhistle, Ponteland and Prudhoe.
Library members can telephone their local library and arrange a collection date for titles selected for you. You can also request a date via mylibrary.co.uk by filling a form in. At this stage all other council services at these libraries are not yet available such as Customers Services.
The books requested will then be selected and available for collection at the specified date and time from the library entrance. If a specific book is requested and is not available staff will select a similar title.
Any returned books will need to be placed in a box at the entrance of each library and will be quarantined for 72 hours.
The service is available on all books including children’s books however only one adult will be admitted per collection.
Cllr Cath Homer, cabinet member for libraries at Northumberland County Council said: “This is the first tentative step to being able to offer a physical library service.
“We know customers will be keen to use the service and we want to reassure everyone that all steps have been taken to ensure the safety of our members as well as our staff.”
The digital library continues to offer all library members the opportunity to read a wide range of books, magazines and newspapers online via the BorrowBox library. Doorstep deliveries will also continue to offer a service for those members who are still shielding or vulnerable.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge has also been moved online with a host of activities and competitions being shared on the Northumberland Libraries social media pages.
To find out more about the Select and Collect service and to find the contact number for your local library go to mylibrary.co.uk
To sign up to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge go to sillysquad.org.uk
Updated on 7 August to reflect the select and collect service being available at a further 5 libraries.