New chapter for bookworms as city libraries start to reopen

NOISE is something usually discouraged in libraries – but the sound of people coming through the doors on Thursday for the first time in months brought a smile to the faces of staff at Dundee’s Central Library.

It, like many others around the country, has been closed for almost six months due to the Covid-19 lockdown but yesterday bookworms were able to return to a semblance of normality and enjoy borrowing books again.

It is the start of a rolling programme which is expected to lead to the city’s other libraries opening to the public over the coming weeks.

Central Library has launched a reconnect and collect service which allows customers to phone up to order books which they can then go and collect.

The first customer to collect his books was former DC Thomson worker Garry Fraser, 64, from the West End.

He said: “It’s great to be able to come back to the library and get books.

“I’ve been borrowing books from friends for months now. I like to have an actual book in my hands to read so it’s great that we can come back and use this service.”

Shona Donaldson, adult library service manager with Leisure and Culture Dundee (LACD), said she was delighted customers are being offered the click and collect service.

“We can’t open the library fully yet but this is the start of what we hope will be a rolling programme,” Shona said.

“Gradually we will get the libraries in the city opening up again.”

The next round of openings is expected to include libraries in community centres, such as Douglas and Menzieshill, from September 14.

LACD plans to follow this two or three weeks later with standalone libraries such as Broughty Ferry and Lochee.