If schools are opening why can’t libraries?

[Spr1ngStitches]

Really missing ours.

Children will be taking out books and returning them on a far quicker and less managed scale.

[Waffles80]

Because it’s not safe for large groups of people to gather in indoor spaces.

The Govt know this of course, they’re not opening schools because it’s safe, it isn’t safe. They’re opening schools so they can force more people back to work. Also not safe.

It would be v. hard to maintain social distancing in a library, the books would pose a transmission risk as people would make physical contact with them, it might encourage vulnerable people to congregate and it would endanger staff.

[covetingthepreciousthings]

I think it's going to need a lot of thought and consideration into how to make libraries safe for volunteers , staff and users.

They'll have to change the whole way they operate.

For example our local library has a computer suite - probably won't be safe to have these open for quite some time, cafe area - encouraging social gathering so probably have to be closed. Self checkout kiosks would need cleaning after each use?
Toys in kids area removing.

Possibly have to 'quarentine' books after they return to the library for 72 hours?

I think there's a lot of risk factors with opening libraries, I know ours is a HUGE social hub for the elderly and for families, it isn't just for lending books.
I just hope everyone respects the rules when they open.

[TJH130]

The books will need burning on return

[Charlottejade89]

libraries are opening again in wales. full lockdown rules still apply here so no driving for exercise or meeting family members in the park, but garden centres, recycling centres and libraries are opening again

[DahliaDay]

Wouldn’t surprise me if this was the chance for many libraries to remain permanently closed

[PerspicaciaTick]

Because libraries are likely to be used for providing socially distanced statutory services to the public which can no longer be accommodated in tiny offices e.g. birth registrations.

[Drivingdownthe101]

Our library is manned entirely by retired volunteers (most over 70) so I can’t see it opening for a long time.

[SquashedFlyBiscuit]

Well if schools actually are safe, and groups of 15 being together All Day actually is safe....

Then so would buses, cinemas, shops, parliament (!) , seeing family in groups up to 15, having friends over etc all be safe. Anyhing involving close contact and sustained time onna building with multiple people...

Which begs the question really doesn't it.

[Devlesko]

Libraries don't provide childcare, the only reason some kids are going back to school.
Anyone with any sense is keeping them at home, if they possibly can.

[Firecarrier]

Because none the of rules make sense and yet the majority are blindly following them

Eg. People fishing need to be 15 METRES apart.

If you're interested in an epidemiologist who really knows her stuff look up Dr Judy Mikovits. (The mighty Google doesn't give the best results and YouTube are constantly taking down any videos that explore her professional informed views)

And no, she's not an 'anti-vaxxer crackpot' before the Mumsnet collective pile on I have watched several interviews where she explicitly explains how they can be selectively useful.

[CaptainCarp]

If you look at it that way why not just open everything all at once.
I would assume the theory is:
Open schools to the youngest to enable some parents to return to work (outside of the home) or wfh more effectively.
Start boosting the economy & have a reduced number of people "spreading". Those who can stay at home will/should.

Then other services can slowly reopen on a staggered system but this would also probably rely on more children going back to school.

You can't keep the schools shut but tell people to go back to work. Also how long can the country keep paying 80% of wages. Even Germany (often cited as a leading country) only pays 60% or 67% of you are a parent.
I must admit I don't really understand the year 6 going back as I can't remember much "transition" to high school bar 1 day where we went & looked around & had a "lesson" which was nothing like real school.

[RedskyAtnight]

I think it's a shame that things can't be done on a case by case basis. Our local library is (sadly) not that widely used. I don't think I've ever been there when there's been more than a handful of other people and it would be really easy to socially distance. Though, I guess if libraries opened there might be a sudden new influx of people who never bothered to go before.

[Michelleoftheresistance]

Friend of librarian: by account, library services are currently up to their eyes in meetings and the frequently contradictory and changing government guidance and risk assessment trying to work out how to make this happen in some way that's compatible with safety. And then staff it. Rather like schools. It's not easy but they're working hard on it, especially in deprived areas, they're worried about people not having access to all their services.

[Whaddyathinkofthis]

Because visiting libraries doesn't help the economy.

Reopening schools has nothing to do with education or safety - it's all about getting the masses back out to work.

[DahliaDay]

Do libraries make a profit or are they actually run at a loss?

[Crimsonnightlotus]

I would love the library to open, my dc is really missing it. But I can't think of the way they operate safely. People go to the library and browse through books before choosing. They can't possibly clean every book someone has touched.

[PerspicaciaTick]

Do libraries make a profit? Really? They purchase hundreds of thousands of books, put them into buildings with an IT infrastructure for the public, staff and volunteers, they offer clubs and groups for all ages...all for free. Where do you think any profit is coming from?

[Lala241280]

We need to get our schools open before libraries simply as

[Bollss]

Anyone with any sense is keeping them at home, if they possibly can

Stop being so offensive. @Devlesko

[cologne4711]

You don't get large groups in libraries. I suppose if there's nothing much else open you might, but if you can queue to go into a supermarket you can queue to go into a library, or pre-book your time at a computer.

I actually think libraries are quite low risk. It would be possible to "quarantine" returns before putting them back into circulation again.

It is true about the browsing, so maybe in a first stage you could open for the computers and allow people to order books online (or over the phone) for collection.

[bellinisurge]

Last time I checked, you touch library books.

[covetingthepreciousthings]

You don't get large groups in libraries

Depends what you class as a large group, but our library regularly has groups of childminders and their children, families with they grandparents in tow, as well as the regular elderly bunch who sit on the sofas in groups of up to 7-8.

[Selfsettling3]

Have you seen the return to school plans? It involves children not taking books home, not sharing any equipment and very small children going to school for a few hours a day normally for only one day a week.

[PerspicaciaTick]

People suggesting that returned books are quarantined, do you have any idea of the sheer volume of space returned books take up every single day? Where do you think they could safely quarantine them? Do you think libraries have lots of empty storage space away from the public?

[Spr1ngStitches]

If kids aren’t taking books home what is the point of them going, are they not going to be doing reading?