The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Libraries turn page to open doors again.
Raft of hygiene measures brought in to protect bookworms
Bookworms across Tayside and Fife are rejoicing as library bosses adapt their services post lockdown.
In Perth and Kinross, increased hygiene measures include a quarantine period for returned books, while in Fife readers will be able to sift through a “lucky dip” of titles chosen by staff to suit their particular tastes.
Libraries in Perth and Kinross will reopen to the public tomorrow with increased hygiene and distancing in place.
Culture Perth and Kinross, which oversees libraries, museums and galleries across the region, said returned books would be quarantined for three days before being allowed back into circulation.
The organisation is also putting limits on the number of people allowed inside a building and installing hand sanitisers.
From today, library members can access a click-and-collect service for books, which will initially operate from the AK Bell Library.
Reserved books will be available to pick up every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from next week between 10am and 4pm at the west car park.
Libraries elsewhere will welcome visitors from tomorrow for borrowing books only.
Additional services, such as computer access and research facilities, will be phased in over the coming weeks.
The head of culture and community services at Perth and Kinross Council, Fiona Robertson, said: “We know people in Perth and Kinross love reading and have really missed being able to visit our libraries, so I’m delighted that Culture Perth and Kinross is finding innovative ways to offer their services.
“Libraries and museum services are at the heart of our communities.”
Readers can continue to download eBooks, audiobooks and digital resources online. More than 12,500 items were accessed during lockdown.
A programme of online events, talks, and workshops will also be launched over the coming months.
Hundreds of Fifers have signed up to a new service aimed at giving them a flavour of what they have been craving during the Covid-19 lockdown.
ONFife libraries Connect & Collect scheme allows people to go online or call their local library, explain what kind of books they like to read and then have a chance to choose from a “lucky dip” selection which can be collected from the library door at a pre-arranged time.
The service was only announced last week but already hundreds of bookworms from across the region have reserved their slots online.
June Souter, ONFife’s service development manager for libraries, said: “We are delighted at the response so far, with nearly 900 customers requesting a selection of books that they can collect.
“It shows just how much people have been missing their local library.”
More than 20 libraries throughout Fife – around three-quarters of ONFife branches – are taking part in the initiative.
They are Buckhaven, Burntisland, Cadham, Cardenden, Cowdenbeath, Cupar, Dalgety Bay, Duloch, Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries, Kennoway, Kirkcaldy Galleries, Ladybank, Leslie, Lochgelly Jennie Lee, Methil, Newburgh, Newport, Oakley, Rosyth, Rothes Halls, St Andrews, St Monans, Tayport and Templehall.
The next stage in the reopening process is expected to come in early August, with controlled limited browsing expected at libraries across the county.