Library plans

Avid readers in South Lanarkshire will soon be able to return to their local library.

Plans are being drawn up by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) to reopen the region’s 23 libraries to the public.

A“staged recovery”will see a limited number reopening to begin with, and with fewer activities.

Final proposals are still to be drawn up but general manager David Booth has said there are still lots of ways to engage with your local library.

He said:“throughout the lockdown period we have continued to deliver library services through our digital offer, enabling customers to enjoy free ebooks and eaudiobooks on Borrowbox as well as free enewspapers and emagazines on the Pressreader and Rbdigital platforms.

“And for our younger members the ever-popular summer reading challenge has continued online.

“We have also expanded the library home delivery service to people who are shielding or self-isolating, and are just getting ready to introduce a‘connect and Collect’service for those without access to the internet. Initially available from St Leonard’s Library in East Kilbride, this service will see librarians choose books for you based on your interests and likes.

“Just call or email to get started. Once the collection is ready you will be contacted to arrange a pick-up time. Hopefully, if this proves popular, we will be able to roll this out more widely.”

Readers with books which are long past their return date because of the lockdown will also be able to return them to St Leonard’s Library or they can be automatically renewed, fee-free, until doors open fully again.