Doors set to open at most local libraries
Two Strath libraries are set to reopen their doors to the public next week.
Culture Perth and Kinross recently announced Auchterarder Library would be among the first in the region to reopen on Tuesday, May 11, as coronavirus lockdown restrictions continue to ease.
The library in Crieff ’s Strathearn Community Campus is to re-open from Friday, May 14.
The region’s mobile library service, now in its 100th year, will once again be hitting the road and visiting local communities from the same date.
However, a date is still to be set for the re- opening of the library in Comrie – although the village will be visited by the mobile service in the meantime.
Once re-opened, visitors to the region’s libraries will be asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines and hand sanitising units will be available.
Books will continue to be quarantined for 72 hours when they are returned before they are added back into circulation.
Customers will be required to wear a mask for their visit and provide information for ‘ Test and Protect’ purposes.
As well and borrowing and returning books, access to public computers will once again be available, as will printing, scanning, photocopying and study facilities.
Culture Perth and Kinross has said study facilities must be booked in advance by contacting the relevant library.
Facilities available as part of the digital Maker_Space at Strathearn Community Campus – one of five in the region as a whole – will also be available.
The previously- introduced fines amnesty will remain in place until the end of May, and customers who still have books or are unable to return books to any of the open libraries from May 11 are asked to call 01738 444949.
And, while visitors to libraries won’t be able to access any physical newspapers or magazines, they will be able to access digital magazines and newspapers from around the world online using online service PressReader.
Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross said: “We can’t wait to see our customers once more.
“I know how much people have been missing their books and I’m so pleased that we are able to deliver a more comprehensive library offer than previously, bringing services to communities across Perth and Kinross.
“To ensure access to some form of our service is possible across the region, our teams have been working hard to ensure that we open the doors to an increased number of libraries and re- introduce mobile library services all at the same time.”
Other libraries re-opening from May 11 include the AK Bell Library in Perth, home to the Local and Family History Department and the Perth and Kinross Archive.
These facilities are to re-open to the public from May 12 on an appointmentonly basis.
For library users who prefer to stay at home, Culture Perth and Kinross will continue to provide access to thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines, via the award-winning Libby app from OverDrive Libraries.
For more information, see www. culturepk.org.uk/backtolibraries.