Date confirmed for reopening of Glossop Library

People will be able to visit Glossop Library again as it is set to reopen for the first time since lockdown began.

Derbyshire County Council has confirmed the library on Talbot Street will reopen on Monday 3 August. 

It closed back in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The library will initially be operating an appointment only system for book borrowing and computer use.

Buxton Library was the first in the High Peak to open its doors again, back on 9 July. 

It means from next week, 13 libraries across Derbyshire will be open as part of the county council's phased approach to reopening. These are Glossop, Buxton, Ashbourne, Ilkeston, Ripley, Alfreton, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Dronfield, Heanor, Long Eaton, Matlock and Swadlincote. 

All re-opened libraries currently have the same opening hours - 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays until further notice.

From Monday 10 August, the council say it will start to re-introduce browsing at selected libraries which have already re-opened, and this will roll out as the remaining libraries begin to re-open.

Customers at libraries where browsing has been re-introduced will not have to book appointments and will be able to just turn up. Each library will have a limit to the number of people that can come in at any one time, which will be monitored by staff.

Once a library has reached capacity, customers will be asked to wait outside. Computers must still be booked.

Customers visiting libraries for browsing will be asked to leave their details as part of the test and trace programme and everyone using the library will be asked to wear a face covering, as they would in a shop, unless they are exempt. People will initially be given a 15-minute slot to browse and pick the books they want to borrow, but this could be longer if the library isn’t busy.

The first libraries to allow customers to browse will be Belper - which will open for the first time, Chesterfield, Dronfield, Matlock and Swadlincote, but there are none in the High Peak. 

The county council say its overall aim is to re-open all 45 libraries when it can be done safely and the schedule for the roll out of all re-openings can be found at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/libraries. 

Customers are asked to check on the website to see when their local library is scheduled to re-open if it hasn’t already, and to check when browsing will be re-introduced.

People who do not have access to the internet can call the Library Information Service on 01629 533444, where they can leave a message and receive a call back from a member of the library service team, or email ask.library@derbyshire.gov.uk. 

Currently all libraries are operating a 'book and borrow' appointment-only system and people are being urged not to turn up without having arranged their appointment first. This will run alongside the phased reintroduction of browsing.

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 books back at this time unless they wish to borrow more. No overdue charges will be incurred for books which are currently borrowed.

Library staff are monitoring how the new systems put in place are working, ensuring social distancing is being adhered to and sharing good practice across all the branches.

Cllr Barry Lewis, DCC's Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Tourism and Culture, said: “We’re pleased to say that the re-opening of our libraries is going well and customers are now familiar with the new temporary systems we’ve put in place, which are there to ensure staff and customers are safe and to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. It continues to be our aim to get all 45 libraries re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The county council say the services libraries are offering are constantly under review but it is currently not possible to 
• visit a library without an appointment
• return books or other items unless attending a Book and Borrow appointment
• browse the shelves (this will change at selected libraries from 10 August)
• 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.

Library contact details can be found at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/libraries.

The council say the Home Library Service will also re-start a reduced service from Monday 3 August, and a plan to re-start the mobile library service is currently being worked on.