Buxton Library will be first in High Peak to reopen

Buxton Library will be the first in the High Peak to open its doors again, as Derbyshire County Council announces a phased approach to reopen libraries from next week. 

All 45 of the authority-ran libraries closed on 20 March due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Seven will reopen initially - staggered throughout next week - with several temporary changes in place. 

Glossop Library is set to be part of the second phase of reopening, with details set to be announced soon. 

Buxton Library on Kents Bank Road will be back open on Thursday 9 July. 

The others to reopen next week are in Heanor, Matlock and Swadlincote on Monday 6 July, Dronfield on Tuesday 7 July, Chesterfield on Wednesday 8 July and Long Eaton on Thursday 9 July. 

From their opening dates, all seven will then be open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays until further notice.

Residents must book an appointment to visit the libraries, and people are being urged not to turn up without having arranged their appointment first.

To get in touch with Buxton Library, call 01629 533460 or email buxton.library@derbyshire.gov.uk. 

Book and Borrow appointments for people wanting to take out books can be arranged over the phone or by email, and use of library computers can be arranged by phone only. Staff will not be able to assist people using computers.

All currently borrowed books and other items have been automatically renewed until 30 September 2020 and people are being urged not to bring them back unless they have made a Book and Borrow appointment. No overdue charges will be incurred for books which are currently borrowed.

Full details of the temporary new rules on borrowing books (Book and Borrow) and using computers in libraries can be found at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/libraries.

The county council say library staff will monitor how the new systems put in place are working and ensure social distancing can be adhered to before rolling out the re-opening of other libraries. 

It adds that it is hopeful of being able to also reopen the Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock and the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery very soon. 

Cllr Barry Lewis, DCC Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Tourism and Culture, said: "We are delighted to be in a position where we can start to slowly re-open our libraries and take the first steps towards getting them back to being fully operational.

"The safety of our staff and customers is always our top priority, and we’ve been following Government guidance closely, considering a range of options to get our libraries open in some form.

"Seven libraries will re-open next week and we will monitor each one very closely to make sure that the measures in place are sufficient to keep everyone safe while still being able to offer a service. It’s really important that people book an appointment to visit and don’t just turn up at the door.

"These are temporary measures and we are obviously working towards opening up the service further when we are sure it is safe to do so, with the overall aim being to re-open all 45.

"We know how important libraries are to people, and we’ve seen the number of library members rise by more than 1,100 during lockdown, with Derbyshire residents taking advantage of the excellent range of free services available online, from eBooks and eNewspapers to activities and research materials.

"I hope library users will bear with us and take advantage of the re-opening of services, albeit limited to start with, and we will endeavour to re-open other parts of the service over the next few weeks." 

People will NOT be able to do the following things during the initial phase of libraries reopening: 

• visit without an appointment
• return books or other items unless attending a Book and Borrow appointment
• browse the shelves
• take part in reader groups or other activities
• use meeting rooms
• request specific items/books
• use the toilets and baby changing facilities
• read newspapers in the library
• make donations, including to the foodbank.