Welcome back to Derby Libraries

The final preparations are being made to welcome members back to Derby Libraries. A phased re-opening of our sites will take place over the next month, allowing as much use of library facilities as is safe and practical at this time.

While we are very much looking forward to seeing our members again, inevitably there will be changes to the services available, and opening hours. The safety of our customers and staff is our priority.

The Home Library Service has now resumed, and Derby Local Studies and Family History Library is taking enquiries, by phone, text and email.

Riverside Library will reopen from 10 August, and Mickleover Library from 11 August, for customers to browse and borrow books and use PC’s. From 24 August, Alvaston Library and Normanton Library will operate a Click and Collect service, where customers can return books and collect reserved items.

Councillor Robin Wood, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “Re-opening our libraries has taken considerable planning. I would like to thank the staff members, who have all undergone training to help the libraries run as safely as possible in these unusual times. I know they can’t wait to see members again.”

Full information about what is on offer at each library is below, but in general:

  • Any books currently on loan will be renewed until September, with no late fees for books borrowed just before lockdown. We intend to review this in September. Please note that any late fees on your account from before lockdown will now be due for payment.
  • Limited access to PC’s will be available at Riverside and Mickleover Libraries only. Members will be able to use a PC for one 30-minute session each day, and only one person will be able to use the computer. Staff assistance will be unavailable. We will keep this under review and extend this service when it is safe and practical to do so.
  • Books can only be reserved at our Click and Collect sites at Alvaston and Normanton libraries.
  • Copies of newspapers and magazines will not be available to read in the libraries.
  • Our meeting rooms will not be available, which means that events and other activities such as Reading Groups will not be going ahead for now.

Services that remain unavailable will be reviewed and resume only when it is safe and manageable to do so.

New safety measures have been introduced at our libraries which are open for public use, at Riverside and Mickleover, to protect our staff and members as much as possible. Please read the signs in the libraries, follow social distancing and bear with us as we all get used to this new way of operating. In general you can expect:

  • All returned books will be quarantined for 72 hours before they are made available for other customers. This also applies to all the books returned to our Click and Collect points at Alvaston and Normanton libraries. Customers will also be asked to put any book that they handle during their visit into a drop bin so it can be quarantined.
  • Customers are asked to limit their visit to 30 minutes. There will also be a limit to the number of people allowed in the library at any one time, so there may be queues at busy times.
  • Hand sanitiser will be available to use, and in line with Government legislation which comes in on 8 August, customers will have to wear a face covering unless they are exempt. Advice on wearing face coverings can be found on the Government website at www.gov.uk. Screens will be in place at service points, and staff will also have the option to wear a face covering.
  • Self-service machines will not be in operation for now.
  • We will be taking part in NHS Test and Trace, but your details will only be passed on if necessary, if it is likely that you have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 during your visit.
  • Until card machines have been installed to take payments, any charges will be put onto the customer’s membership. This is to minimise cash handling.
  • Tables and chairs will be removed to increase space.
  • Customers are asked to come alone if possible. Children aged 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged from 6 to 12 must be accompanied by a responsible person who is aged 13 or over.

While events and activities are unable to resume in libraries, you can join in some activities digitally, which is also an option if you are feeling uncertain about returning to the library at the moment.

Becoming a member also gives you full access to our eLibrary, where you can borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks, and read electronic versions of newspapers and magazines, all for free using apps that you can download to your device. Join online at www.inderby.org.uk/libraries/how-to-join/join-the-library/

Derby Libraries also runs a Reading Group on Facebook, where members read and discuss a different book every three weeks. Join up through the Derby Libraries Facebook page at    www.facebook.com/groups/335258594118859

Children can take part in the Summer Reading Challenge online throughout the school holidays. This year’s theme is the Silly Squad. Find out how to sign up, download eBooks and watch our puppet show and storytelling videos, at www.inderby.org.uk/sillysquad

Services by library:

The Home Library Service: VISITS NOW RESUMED

The Home Library Service delivers books to people who can't get to the library themselves because of illness, infirmity or disability.  If you would like to receive this service please email accessservices.unit@derby.gov.uk or ring 01332 640617 to check if you are eligible.

Derby Local Studies and Family History Library: NOW OPEN FOR ONLINE / TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES

Customers are not currently able to visit the library in Riverside Chambers, Full Street, but you can email, telephone or text the team, and they will search the library collection on your behalf to answer your local history and family history enquiries. Copies of original documents can be provided for a small charge. You can also browse Derby's History, our curated digital archive at www.derby.gov.uk/derbyshistory and download full-text PDFs of the library's most fascinating and informative items.

Contact details:

Tel: 01332 642240

Email: localstudies.library@derby.gov.uk

Text: 07584 268351

The enquiry service will operate on the following days:

Monday 10am – 2.30pm

Tuesday 10am – 12.30pm

Wednesday 10am – 12.30pm

Thursday 10am – 5pm

Riverside Library, The Council House: Reopens Monday 10 August

For more information see www.inderby.org.uk/libraries/news/welcome-back-to-derby-libraries/libraries-reopening-information

Available services: Returning and borrowing items, browsing, limited public PC service. In line with Government legislation, you will need to wear a face covering inside the library unless you are exempt. Your details may be used for NHS Test and Trace purposes but only if required.

You will be able to join the library when you come in. Please bring name and address ID with you.

Opening hours:

Monday 10am – 4pm

Tuesday 10am – 4pm

Thursday 10am – 4pm

Friday 10am – 4pm

Saturday to be confirmed

Mickleover Library, Holly End Road, Mickleover: Reopens Tuesday 11 August

For more information see www.inderby.org.uk/libraries/news/welcome-back-to-derby-libraries/libraries-reopening-information

 

Available services: Returning and borrowing items, browsing, limited public PC service. In line with Government legislation, you will need to wear a face covering inside the library unless you are exempt. Your details may be used for NHS Test and Trace purposes but only if required.

You will be able to join the library when you come in. Please bring name and address ID with you.

Opening hours:

Tuesdays 10am – 4pm

Thursday 10am – 5pm

Friday 10am – 4pm

Saturday 10am - 1pm

Alvaston Library: Open for Click and Collect only from Monday 24 August

For more information see www.inderby.org.uk/libraries/news/welcome-back-to-derby-libraries/click-and-collect-library-services

How to click and collect:

  • To find a library item online at www.inderby.org.uk/libraries, browse or search the Alvaston catalogue page and place a hold on the books you would like to borrow. Alternatively, browse the catalogue and call the library on 01332 718140 or email alvaston.library@derby.gov.uk with your library card number, and the title and author of each book you wish to borrow.
  • If we have your email address, we will email you to let you know when they are available to collect.
  • If we don’t have your email address, wait one working day and then phone the library on 01332 718140 to find out when you can collect them.
  • When you arrive, call the library and staff will bring the books to you and place them on a table or the floor for you to pick up.
  • When you return items, call the library and a staff member will come to collect them.

Opening times:

Monday 1pm – 4pm

Tuesday 12:30pm – 4pm

Thursday 12:30pm – 5pm

Friday 1pm – 4:30pm

Normanton Library: Open for Click and Collect only from Monday 24 August

For more information see www.inderby.org.uk/libraries/news/welcome-back-to-derby-libraries/click-and-collect-library-services

How to click and collect:

  • To find a library item online at www.inderby.org.uk/libraries, browse or search the Normanton catalogue page and place a hold on the books you would like to borrow. Alternatively, browse the catalogue and call the library on 01332 642640 or email normanton.library@derby.gov.uk with your library card number, and the title and author of each book you wish to borrow.
  • If we have your email address, we will email you to let you know when they are available to collect.
  • If we don’t have your email address, wait one working day and then phone the library on 01332 642640 to find out when you can collect them.
  • When you arrive, call the library and staff will bring the books to you and place them on a table or the floor for you to pick up.
  • When you return items, call the library and a staff member will come to collect them.

Opening times:

Monday 1:30 – 5pm

Tuesday 1:30 – 4:30pm

Wednesday 12:30 – 5pm

Thursday 1:30pm – 5pm

Friday 9:30am – 1pm

Saturday 9:30am – 1pm

Community Managed Libraries:

Allestree; Allenton; Blagreaves; Chellaston; Derwent; Mackworth; Sinfin; Spondon; Springwood; The Philip Whitehead Memorial Library at Chaddesden Park

Derby Libraries are working with Direct Help and Advice, who run the city’s ten Community Managed Libraries, to support their plans for a phased re-opening.

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