Changes to Shropshire library services due to coronavirus

Shrewsbury Library

Shropshire Council’s library service has announced some changes to its service in light of the coronavirus – or COVID-19 – outbreak.

All Shropshire Library Service events have, for the time being, been postponed.

However, the standard loan period for library items has been extended from three weeks to six weeks. Customers can also borrow more items than usual. Fines for overdue books have temporarily been removed.

Shropshire Library Service is doing all it can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There are currently no plans to close libraries but working with key local partners, this is under constant review.

This response in accordance with the advice and guidance given by Public Health England (PHE) and in line with the wider library sector, as well as Shropshire Council.

Library users are asked to help prevent the spread of the virus and safeguard the health and wellbeing of volunteers, staff and visitors.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, or who has been in physical contact with someone has COVID-19 or is self isolating, is urged not to visit a library. This will protect other customers who may be vulnerable.

Library users are also being reminded that the e-books and e-audio service is now available online through the Cloud Library website.

People can also download e-books and listen to e-audio selections through an app – and can  read full digital copies of their favourite magazines, for free, with the RBdigital e-Magazine Service. They can also access over 2000 newspapers and magazines, including most of the UK national papers, through Library PressReader.

The revised service information is as follows:

• Loan period –  six weeks (eight weeks for mobile library)
• Loan period for reserved items being renewed – two weeks
• Maximum loans – 20 (+ 12 AV) / four items for standard borrowers
• Maximum renewals – four
• No fines
• Items on request to be kept on shelf for an extra week