New Ready Reads service launched for Whitchurch Library users
A new Ready Reads service has been launched for people affected by the temporary closure of Whitchurch Library.
Library staff will take requests for books when they are at the town’s market on Fridays, and readers will be able to collect their choices from Whitchurch Heritage Centre, which has partnered with the library to support the service. Requests can also be made online, and the service begins from Tuesday 12 December 2023.
Whitchurch Library staff with a reader returning books on the market stall, on a recent Friday.
Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said:-
“We don’t want our library customers to miss out on the delight of settling down with a good book. The Ready Reads service means customers can share their areas of interest or preferences for certain genres and have books provided to them. In addition, our excellent and knowledgeable team will be able to make recommendations. The request service will be operational from home in the usual way and there will be no charge for this service while we operate in this way.
“Thanks to the support of Whitchurch Heritage Centre the books will be ready to collect on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 3pm and hopefully no-one will miss out.
“We fully understand people’s frustration with the closure, but we hope that Ready Reads will help customers while the library building is closed, and until we can find an alternative site that will be suitable for the full service to resume.”
Customers wanting to request books can do so at the library stall in the market hall on Fridays from 9am to midday, or online at www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/find-a-library/whitchurch-library/ Items may also be returned at the stall.
Books will be available for collection from Whitchurch Heritage Centre on Tuesday 12 December, Thursday 14 December, Tuesday 19 December, Tuesday 9 January 2024 and Thursday 11 January 2024 between 10am and 3pm.
The town library has been closed since September following the discovery of RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) roof beams in the building.
Robert Macey has previously said:-
“The closure is beyond our control and the safety of our staff and customers is our main priority, but I want to assure people that Shropshire Council is actively looking for alternative sites with the aim of continuing our service as soon as possible. This is a complex process and must take into account planning regulations, property services and accessibility among other matters.
“Our libraries are important community hubs and we know how important they are to the community.”
