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.

I work with (not for) a library service and their current plan is to re-open from earlyJune for collections (online and phone reservations) and returns only, from the door. Then public allowed in in limited numbers mid month.

As a pp said its not just books any more either, loads of people in low income areas are totally reliant on the library for wifi and/or computer access. So that is a big driver too to get them open again in some form but of course a nightmare to organise with social distancing due to older buildings and reduced staff.

And re gatherings, quite often they will have 20+ families at storytime (they actually have to ticket a couple of them), so obvs that can't happen.

Our library is opening in France.
You order books online or by phone, stocks have been increased. Pick up at arranged time. Returns go in a box, they are quarantined for 10 days and disinfected if possible before their return to circulation. I think reservations are free and you are also allowed to borrow more books than usual so you don't have to go so often. I'm not sure if they are letting people in to browse if they don't have internet access. I think it can work.

Libraries were the first places to re-open in Finland

Keep an eye on what is happening here on the Isle of Man.

Basically a British population (although not UK). 85,000, and single figure deaths (excluding one awful outbreak in a care home)

We also have the luxury of closing borders.

Libraries open this week. We can visit friends and family in their home (up to two visitors) and groups of up to ten can meet in the garden or at the park, for a walk etc. Sports are gradually resuming. Mass panic about a second wave, but I really can’t see it unless people are incredibly stupid and until such time as we inevitably have to let people from the UK and rest of the world back in

Because re-opening schools is not about the education of our kids but the economy.

Because Libraries don’t generally provide supervision of children, allowing their parents to get back to work.

Because with that logic if libraries can open so can a million other things. The idea is to ease out of lockdown so small steps.

ur library is opening in France. You order books online or by phone, stocks have been increased. Pick up at arranged time. Returns go in a box, they are quarantined for 10 days and disinfected if possible before their return to circulation. I think reservations are free and you are also allowed to borrow more books than usual so you don't have to go so often. I'm not sure if they are letting people in to browse if they don't have internet access. I think it can work.

That sounds like a great solution. Unfortunately many library services here have been cut to the bone and run largely on volunteers, not sure how they would make it work.