When will libraries reopen?!

[goteam]

Any library workers have any idea? I'm running out of books and really want some diverting page turners for the summer. I read a book a week so cant afford to buy them and dont really have space.

Surely it's quite easy to socially distance at libraries? If they dont have other services such as computers, baby groups etc but just book lending? Hand gel, self service etc. Could be done. I dont see how its any more risky than non essential shops which are reopening....

Books I had out in March got extended to June. Got an email yesterday extending them until the end of August so doesn't look like they are expecting to go back anytime soon.

You can't disinfect every book touched by every person. I would love libraries to reopen but wouldn't want to touch any of the books! It's bad enough in normal times 🤣

That doesnt sound good @1forsorrow.

@notchickenagain maybe you could just reserve the books and collect from the collection point. People will be picking up clothes / objects and putting them back when shops reopen. IKEA is open but libraries are a real lifeline for families.

My kids have tons of books but really want new material and are also quick readers so we cant keep buying them. our family book turnaround is too great!

I guess I will just have to bite the bullet and do a book order soon.

I don't understand why they can't reopen.

Those who are worried they might catch the virus from a book could choose not to use libraries perhaps?

The service I do work with is planning for 8th July here subject to local council cabinet approval. Part time openings only so that vulnerable and shielding staff don't have to work with public - and order and collect only for time being. Returned books being quarantined. Home deliveries are starting up again though for those most isolated.

We are NW though and as the R is over 1 again (who'dathunkit?) this may get put back again.

I work in a university and we’ve been told our library isn’t opening until September, which I was quite surprised to hear. It’s a complete nightmare as we have masters students who won’t have been able to set foot in a library between starting and completing their dissertations. In Italy, university libraries are starting to reopen. They are quarantining returned books for 10 days, apparently!

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross the reason they can't just open is that books are only a fraction of what libraries do now. Loads of people use them for internet access (which will have to be distanced and restricted) and the rest of users are there to hang out/work/study/events/ supported community learning. None of which will be possible for a while. It's a huge loss to places where there is little other amenity or infrastructure.

Lots of libraries also loan ebooks via various apps - that's still running and could be an alternative? Ours uses BorrowBox but think there are others

@gubbinsy I am old school and can't read books on devices!

@Ihatemyseleffordoingthis that sounds like a sensible reopening plan. That's all I want. Reserve books, collect and return.

A handful of libraries in Essex are re-opening on 6th July. I suspect that there will be a very limited service though.

Some will open in July but probably not for browsing. Have you looked into your library's ebook service?

I'd like them to open soon so I can get rid of the stack at home.

No dates currently for the local authority I work for but there are lots of discussions on how to reduce risks eg. Store returned books for 3 days before reshelving.

Have you tried your local FB or Next Door groups to see if any of your neighbours might be up for a book swap? I'm sure you're not the only person who's running out of something new to read!

I don't like reading ebooks much either. I've tried, but I don't enjoy it as much.
...But, I love an audiobook! Particularly, whilst cooking or doing a monotonous task like vacuuming or folding laundry, etc. Have you tried it? Most local libraries offer this now with ebooks.

Also, when I can't get a particular audiobook that I want to listen to (I've been getting into the Rebus books lately and love the DCI Banks series), if it's an older/popular title, then you can pick them up cheaply from eBay with free P&P (for around £2-3). I have a pile to donate to the charity shop when they reopen.

Or as a PP has said - have a look for local book swaps on FB or Nextdoor.

Our university library is planning to re-open at the beginning of July. Lots of precautions being put in place and returned books quarantined for 72 hours. I know that the council libraries are putting their plans in place but no definite date yet. Maybe August?

I work in a library, just as a volunteer (my local county relied on volunteers to keep its libraries open pre lockdown, having got rid of most paid library posts ). We’re getting mixed messages. We’re being told libraries might reopen in July, but we’ve extended all due back dates on borrowed books until October.

My own library has one paid member of staff (or volunteer coordinator) and about 70 volunteers. Only a handful of us are under 70. When you take out those who are vulnerable or shielding I calculated that there’d be 5 of us who could work. We need at least 2 and ideally 3 per shift.

Just checked and our library books have been auro renewed until 1st September so that's a shame.