Press Release for Immediate Release – 3rd June 2020
Call and Collect – what to expect as County Council Library Service prepares for Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap to Recovery
Public Libraries are due to begin offering more services to the public as outlined in Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. However, it will be some time before full library services can resume.
In Phase 2 services will begin to be provided to the public in a step-by-step manner in line with public health guidance.
So, what can the people of County Carlow expect from their public library service in Phase 2?
County Librarian, John Shortall says “Our first priority will be to make arrangements for a safe lending service via a ‘Call and Collect’ model. Then, where possible, we will make arrangements for the return of items on loan.”
“This means that at first, library spaces will be restricted to library staff only and will not be accessible to the public. As the government roadmap progresses, the library sector will plan a gradual re-opening aligned to health and safety directives. But over time, and with caution and care, we will begin to re-open our buildings to the public.”
He continues “In all situations, the health and safety of library users and staff will be paramount. Social distancing will be observed where library users interact with services, and all health and safety protocols will be observed.”
Carlow County Council Library Service has today announced the launch of the Call and Collect initiative for people around the county who require library books. This is an extension of the Bag of Books initiative which has seen 38 older or cocooning individuals receive library books in the last three weeks.
Carlow County Council Library Service staff have been busy working behind the scenes putting plans in place to safely provide a limited lending service to the people around the county in need of reading material.
Library staff will make every effort within current constraints to locate specific requests and more general stock selections will be available. When ready, your books can be collected at an arranged time from your local library branch. Borris Library will not be operational for another while but library users from the area are encouraged to contact Muinebheag Library for the moment.
To make your request please contact your local library by email to [email protected] or by phone to the following numbers:
Carlow – 059 912 9705
Tullow – 059 013 6299
Muinebheag – 059 912 9705
Don’t forget, you can access library services online, and these online services will continue to be available as we move through the re-opening phases at www.carlowlibraries.ie.
You can:
• join the library online
• download eBooks and eAudiobooks
• read eMagazines and eNewspapers
• take eLearning or eLanguage courses
• watch or listen to Storytime on our Social Media channels
• take part in other activities like the KCLR Book club, fill out and return the COVID Time Capsule forms or listen to The Talking Newspaper on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
