As part of phased reopening plans, Shropshire Libraries are launching a ‘Ready Reads’ service from Monday 6 July 2020.
‘Ready Reads’ is a ‘click & collect’ style service offering tailored book choices selected by library staff. Although libraries themselves will remain closed for the time being, Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow libraries will be available as pick-up points for ‘Ready Reads’ initially, with other libraries to be included over the coming weeks.
To use ‘Ready Reads’ customers can complete an online form that includes questions about what sort of books are wanted, and based on that information library staff will put together selections of books then contact the customer once they’re ready to collect. To get your Ready Reads, complete the online form here. Alternatively the service can be accessed by telephoning one of the participating libraries.
Shropshire Libraries are following national guidelines for libraries by taking a phased approach to reopening that ensures services can be delivered safely.
Library staff will then put together a selection of books based on what you’ve told us and we’ll contact you when they’re ready to pick-up from the library.
We’re operating this as a contactless service from library entrance foyers. Library staff will be observing all appropriate measures such as social distancing and frequent hand-washing, and any returned library books will be placed in quarantine for 72 hours.
What to expect when libraries open
In order to keep everybody safe your library will look and feel different when it reopens.
To enable social distancing we will limit the number of people in the library at the same time, we may have altered the layout of the library to help people to keep apart, and entrance/exit points may have changed.
There will be a reduced number of computers available for use, based on 30-minute sessions and these must be pre-booked by contacting the library.
We cannot quarantine or sanitise some things such as newspapers, leaflets and some reference materials so these will be unavailable until the risk of spreading the virus has been reduced.
We will continue to bring you our programme of online events and activities as we reopen, and events and activities in libraries themselves will be reintroduced as soon as we can hold them safely.