Chesterfield Library to reopen this week
Chesterfield Library will reopen on Wednesday 8 July after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic since 20 March.
Libraries across Derbyshire are to begin reopening from this week, with several temporary changes in place to keep customers and staff safe.
Chesterfield Library will be open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays until further notice, with people being asked to arrange appointments direct with their local library.
‘Book and borrow’ appointments for people wanting to take out books can be arranged over the phone or by email, and use of library computers can be arranged by phone only.
All currently borrowed books and other items have been automatically renewed until 30 September 2020 and people are being urged not to bring them back unless they have made an appointment. No overdue charges will be incurred for books which are currently borrowed.
It will not be possible for library staff to order books from other libraries during the temporary arrangements, and staff will only be able to provide items from their specific branch. This means that specific titles may not always be available. All books will be issued to 30 September 2020.
Library staff will monitor how the new systems put in place are working and ensure social distancing can be adhered to before rolling out the re-opening of other libraries across Derbyshire.
Councillor Barry Lewis, Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Tourism and Culture, said:“We are delighted to be in a position where we can start to slowly reopen our libraries and take the first steps towards getting them back to being fully operational.”
“The safety of our staff and customers is always our top priority, and we’ve been following government guidance closely, considering a range of options to get our libraries open in some form.”
“We know how important libraries are to people, and we’ve seen the number of library members rise by more than 1,100 during lockdown, with Derbyshire residents taking advantage of the excellent range of free services available online, from eBooks and eNewspapers to activities and research materials.”
“I hope library users will bear with us and take advantage of the reopening of services, albeit limited to start with, and we will endeavour to reopen other parts of the service over the next few weeks.”
During the initial phase of reopenings, it will not be possible to:
- visit without an appointment
- return books or other items unless attending a book and borrow appointment
- browse the shelves
- take part in reader groups or other activities
- use meeting rooms
- request specific items/books
- use the toilets and baby changing facilities
- read newspapers in the library
- make donations, including to the foodbank.
You can contact Chesterfield Library by calling 01629 533 400 or email chesterfield.library@derbyshire.gov.uk.
