Are libraries going to close?

[Fivemoreminutes1]

Because if they are, I need to do a panic borrow.

[covetingthepreciousthings]

Yes I believe so

[Fivemoreminutes1]

Thanks, I will go and max out my library card!

[Coriandersucks]

Ffs ours only opened last week

[Callcat]

Going to? We've been in lockdown for a week. They're closed. Or do you mean English libraries...?

[SouterSally]

Looks like it, public buildings such as museums and librarys were mentioned to be closed in the press yesterday.

[MayFayre]

Yes, unfortunately.

The one I work at is hoping to be allowed to offer a click and collect service, it we are waiting for clarification as to whether this will be allowed.

[MySaladDays75]

Did they ever open?!

[MayFayre]

We’ve been open since August but with reduced hours.

[Birdsong111]

Don’t be surprised if public libraries end up being permanently closed after this. The public sector is on its knees financially.

[MayFayre]

It’s a real worry. The libraries are a real lifeline for some of the people who use them. Ours is funded by the community now rather than the local authority, but gets almost all of its income from hiring out the premises when not being used as a library, and there has been none of that since March.

[Littleelffriend]

Mine has never reopened

[cologne4711]

@MayFayre

Yes, unfortunately.

The one I work at is hoping to be allowed to offer a click and collect service, it we are waiting for clarification as to whether this will be allowed.

Bookshops can do click and collect so I see no reason for libraries not to be able to.

[cologne4711]

@Littleelffriend

Mine has never reopened

Yes I imagine some councils just left staff on furlough (or redeployed them - I did see something on here earlier in the year about having redeployed library staff to social care duties).

[frozendaisy]

I did a panic borrow at weekend

[WitchFindersAreEverywhere]

Bookshops can do click and collect so I see no reason for libraries not to be able to

Our library did that for months. Reserve online, turn up with a mask and card, queue outside the library and the librarian gave you the books in a paper bag having issued them for you.
They opened half time, still are.

[NancyJoan]

Ours haven't opened yet!

[onemouseplace]

Ours has been doing click and collect since reopening. I really hope they stay open.

As a side point, surely libraries are essential for students?

[IncidentsandAccidents]

I'm taking the dc for panic borrowing after school today 😊

[Dustballs]

I've just been to the library to stock up and regret it now.

I was stood next to a man for ages. He was on the computer and the books I was choosing from were right next to him. He was coughing a bit and I worried for a moment and then tried not to.

About 10 minutes later he went up to the librarian and said that he was having trouble booking himself in for a Covid test! He said that he'd been told to have a test because he had some of the main symptoms!

Really wishing I hadn't gone to the library now.

[LovelyLibraryLady]

Librarian here, just waiting to see what we are doing maybe back to click and collect which we have been doing since July and we had been allowing browsing for the last few weeks .

I feel so sorry for many of our elderly/ vulnerable borrowers who were so happy for us to be open again. I must say my local authority has been really on the ball with social distancing, cleaning, hand sanitising and so on. All staff have been well trained on how to keep people coming in as safe as possible. In fact many people have really welcomed (of course with some exceptions) the measures put in place with limited numbers and time allowed inside the branches.

I would of not stood so close to someone who was coughing, and just waited until he moved away, indeed one of my staff would of either asked you to move for a short while, but then we have moved computers, shelves etc so there is plenty space between everyone.

Fingers crossed its not a full shut down.

[TheWindOnTheMoon]

Ours only reopened last week. Haven't even managed to get there yet

[CuppaTea82]

I work for libraries, we are waiting the government guidance as libraries haven't yet been mentioned although we are expecting them to close

[Ellmau]

councils just left staff on furlough

Councils weren't allowed to furlough staff unless their job was funded out of income from the service in question, eg leisure centres.

[Ihatemyseleffordoingthis]

I do consultancy work for a library service.

DCMS are issuing guidance tomorrow, it was being considered today.

Currently their hope is that they can continue to offer click and collect.

[RedRosie]

University libraries open, and will remain open apparently.