Ninety libraries set to reopen as part of new pilot scheme

By Connor Stringer

A total of ninety libraries are set to reopen as part of a new pilot scheme to recover the service, Libraries NI has announced.

The new Book and Collect Service will enable members to phone their local branch to request a selection of books and arrange a contactless collection.

Libraries in Northern Ireland have been closed for almost four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the pilot, five libraries will reopen to allow customers access to the branch for book browsing and limited access to IT,  as part of the first phase of a larger pilot.

Omagh and Lisburn City libraries reopening on Tuesday 21 July and Bangor Carnegie, Derry Central and Belfast Central libraries reopening on Thursday 23 July

In order to maintain social distancing, controls will be placed on the number of people allowed to enter at any one time and members of the public will be asked to limit themselves to 30 minutes browsing.

Toilet facilities will also be closed during the pilot phase and printing or photocopying will be made unavailable.

The scheme is sel remain in place until such time as libraries reopen.