Has your local public library reopened ?

[bigchris]

Ours has but the smaller branch libraries haven't

It's very quiet too and it's all rules and one way systems, masks and quarantining books, no reservations etc

Ours is only open for click and collect book reservations.

It’s a big old place and rarely busy except for the kids groups which they could have on a booking basis, it’s very sad to see it not being used to anywhere near its full potential.

We might be in the same borough @oreosoreosoreos. I tried the click and collect but all the librarians seemed wither bemused or resentful that I had turned up to collect.

Imagine the audacity. I dared to want, of all things, books from, of all places, a library.

I am glad to hear that some are open for browsing because, tbh, I never thought In my wildest nightmares that I would ever be forbidden from browsing in a library.

Bet councils will use this as an excuse to be rid of them as no one is using them.

No and it's in a really deprived area. Many people don't have a car so it was lovely for the local kids and old folk who can't get out elsewhere. So sad, it was such a friendly place with advice and computers for the jobless etc. Don't know why they insist on keeping it closed. Probably cost cutting.

I really despair. A local library is a big part of growing out of poverty and raising aspirations. And of course, ahem, helping children to learn to read and enjoy books.

I think all th3 local authority money is going into care

Nope. It's in the same building as the primary school, so no adults allowed in. Our small town has so far lost it's library, GP surgery and mobile banking service. When Covid is over, we will have to fight to get them reinstated.

Ours has been open for a while, but the rules around browsing seem quite strict, so I don't want to bring my toddler in. Before lockdown I made a trip to the library and took out 20 books so we've been rotating those, but it's time we swapped them so I've just made a click and collect reservation (free). It was difficult as the website/search function is slow and imprecise, plus I don't have specific books I want, just some nice books for children to read. Ended up just searching for a few of her favourite authors and picking out some titles she hasn't read.

Our main one and a few branches have but not the one local to me.

It's depressing. Met by a person in a mask and gloves asking what I wanted; 30 minutes browsing; any books you've touched go in a box.

I was so discombobulated that 3 of the 4 books I picked have gone back as I didn't actually like them.

I think the restrictions are too much , you can go in to Waterstones and browse as long as you like for example

But it's local government and all risk assessments and they have to protect the staff I guess

Our reservations haven't returned because half the libraries are closed so the reservations coukd be for a closed library , the catalogue I guess can't cope

Ours Insist on hand sanitising on entering which means browsed books go back on the shelf , only returns are quarantined

Our small library (Hampshire) has re opened with limited hours - only 5 in at a time, returns are quarantined not browsed books, hand sanitizer etc. They are still operating the 'click and collect' system. It seems to be working well.

Only pre order and collect, or pre order them to random pick for you you are met at a table for handover. It is a community library.