TWO more Warrington libraries are to re-open later this month following the closures enforced by the Covid-19pandemic.
Padgate Library will re-open on Monday, September 21 and Penketh Library will re-open the following day.
LiveWire, the community interest company that manages library services in Warrington on behalf of the borough council, say the procedures put in place to safeguard the safety of customers and staff have proved success.
Eight of its libraries have now re-opened since July and the remaining two closed libraries – Birchwood and Westbrook – are expected to open late next month.
New opening hours at Padgate will be:
– Monday: 10am to 5pm (Closed 1pm-2pm)
– Wednesday: 2pm to 5pm
– Saturday 9.30am to 1pm
New opening hours at Penketh will be:
– Tuesday: 10am to 6pm (Closed 1pm-2pm)
– Thursday: 10am to 6pm (Closed 1pm-2pm)
– Saturday: 9.30am to 1pm.
These new reduced opening hours are in line with guidance and designed to help ensure the safety of customers and staff at the site. The times are not permanent and will continue to be monitored.
Health and safety measures put in place include social distancing for customers and staff, one-way systems around parts of the buildings, hand sanitiser at entrances and exits and the quarantining of books for 72 hours after they are returned.
The library service has seen a huge increase in the number of e-books borrowed during the closure period, and the focus on the digital offer will continue. Also being expanded is the Library at Home offer for vulnerable customers, and a new Order and Collect service.
There will be no charges for overdue books and other items issued from March 1 and items on loan have had their loan period extended until November 7.
Emma Hutchinson, managing director of LiveWire, said: “I’m thrilled we are in the position of being able to re-open two more libraries this month, and that the safety measures we have put in place at the re-opened libraries are working so well. I’d like to thank all our library users for their co-operation in following the procedures designed to keep them and our staff safe, and hope they are enjoying borrowing books and visiting our libraries again.
“We do offer a number of services for people unable or reluctant to return to libraries and I’d encourage people to make use of these. Thank you to Warrington Borough Council and our partners and Friends groups for all their support during the past few months.”
For more information on the reopening of libraries, plus a list of FAQs for customers, visit https://livewirewarrington.co.uk/library
