Time-limited browsing now offered in some Northumberland libraries

The service to Northumberland Library members has been introduced at Rothbury, Wooler and Bellingham.

Other libraries are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

Customers will have 15 minutes to browse and make their own selection.

At smaller libraries, where space is more restricted, members who are concerned are advised to contact their library prior to their visit to discuss social distancing measures in place.

Family groups will be admitted as one unit but members are again asked to bear in mind the size of their local library and to avoid disappointment, ring ahead to discuss their visit with staff. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The select and collect service continues to be available at Amble, Alnwick, Bedlington, Berwick, Blyth, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Morpeth, Ponteland and Prudhoe.

Again members can request books either by contacting their local library or via the mylibrary.co.uk website. They will then be allocated a date and time to collect their requested books.

If a specific book which has been requested is not available staff will choose a similar option. The service also includes children’s books.

Books can be returned without a pre-arranged appointment, although members are advised to contact the library in advance to ensure this facility is available. Books which are returned are quarantined for 72 hours.

Cllr Cath Homer, cabinet member for library services at Northumberland County Council, said: “Time limited browsing is the next step in our phased approach to being able to offer physical library services to our members.

“We have had some fantastic feedback from members about the select and collect service and we hope that the time limited browsing will further support members.

“For those members who are not able to, or do not wish to access these physical services, we continue to offer a comprehensive digital offer with our online library giving members access to hundreds of ebooks and audiobooks. We are also continuing with our home library service for those more vulnerable members of the community.”

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