Libraries to allow use of computers

Scarborough Library and others in the county continue the phased return of services next week, with sessions on public computers being bookable at some branches and the restart of the Home Library Service.

This follows the successful launch this week of a Select and Collect service, which enables customers to phone or email their library to request the type of books they want, then later collect a selection hand-picked by a member of the library team.

From Monday, libraries managed by North Yorkshire County Council at Scarborough, Harrogate, Malton, Whitby, Pickering, Filey and Skipton will offer limited access to public computers.

Computers will be placed to allow for two-metre social distancing and will be cleaned betweeneachuse.Thenumber of computers available at each librarywillbereducedbecause of this safety measure, so people must contact their library to check availability before visiting.

Computer sessions may be limitedto45minutesandmust be booked by calling or emailing the library in advance. There will be no cash transactions so people wanting printouts can have five A4 copies for free. Donations for any further copies would be welcomed.

Also restarting from Monday is the Home Library Service. Cecily Simpson, a home libraryservicevolunteerco-ordinator working with Scarborough library, said: “It is a very welcome service for a range of people who are housebound, not necessarily because of their age, and for carers who can’t get out to choose their own library books.

Community-managed libraries have their own arrangements in place – see page 17 for Newby & Scalby Library’s measures.