Mellor Library set to reopen its doors

Mellor Library is to reopen on Wednesday giving people access to a range of valuable services and information once again.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The library, situated at St Mary's Gardens, is among 11 libraries in Lancashire getting ready to reopen its doors to people on Wednesday (September 30th).

With many libraries already open, this will mean the vast majority of the county's libraries are available again with measures in place to help prevent the spread of coronavirus after closing in response to the national lockdown earlier this year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

All libraries are operating the same opening hours as before, except that they will close for lunch from 1pm to 2pm. This does not apply if the library is opening later, for example 1pm-7pm. The only exception is The Harris in Preston which is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

Lancashire County Council is reopening more of its libraries this weekLancashire County Council is reopening more of its libraries this week
Lancashire County Council is reopening more of its libraries this week

Visitors can browse, borrow, photocopy and use computers without an appointment, but may have to queue before being able to enter as part of new social distancing arrangements, which limit the number of people allowed in at any one time.

The Six of the Best service, a selection of up to six books chosen by library staff, will still be available. These can be collected at the entrance of the library. People will need to speak with library staff, see the information on our libraries website, or call 0300 123 6703 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday to arrange this service.

Public computers will also be available for 45 minute sessions starting on the hour, on a first come, first served basis. It may be possible to extend sessions upon request if nobody else is waiting.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

County Councillor Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: "Our library service has been working very hard to put arrangements in place to allow them to reopen, and I'm very pleased that we'll be able to welcome even more people back from next week.

"We've been taking a phased approach to reopening library buildings, as well as making more of the services they provide available again as we go.

"I'm grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding, and I'd ask everyone to keep an eye on our website and social media channels for news if their local library is one of the very few we’re still working to reopen."

People are required to wear a face covering when visiting a library unless they are exempt. Children under 11 will not be required to cover their faces. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Everyone will also be asked to provide their name and contact details to support the NHS Test and Trace system. This can be by scanning a poster in the library using the new NHS COVID-19 app.

Anyone wanting to return books can do this by placing them in the returned books container at the entrance of the libraries that are open. Books will be quarantined for 72 hours before they are re-shelved.

Customers will not be charged for any overdue items. Library users are being asked to hold onto their books until they can return them to an open library and not to post them through letter boxes or leave them outside libraries. Books can be renewed online or by calling 0300 123 6704.