Here's what you need to know as 15 more Lancashire libraries get ready to reopen

Lancashire County Council is reopening 15 more libraries at Adlington, Bolton-le-Sands, Clitheroe, Colne, Coppull, Eccleston, Euxton, Longton, Lytham, Padiham, Parbold, Poulton, Tarleton, Thornton and Whitworth.

Already libraries in Accrington, Ansdell, Chorley, Coal Clough, Fulwood, Garstang, Leyland, Morecambe, Nelson, Rawtenstall, Skelmersdale, Whalley, Bacup, Barnoldswick, Brierfield, Clayton Green, Fleetwood, Freckleton, Great Harwood, Heysham, Lancaster, Longridge, Lostock Hall, Ormskirk, The Harris, Preston, Ribbleton and St. Anne’s have reopened.

From Monday (September 7), the opening times of all of the libraries that have reopened will revert to their usual Monday to Saturday hours. Libraries will close for lunch from 1pm to 2pm.

Customers will be able to browse and borrow without an appointment in all the reopened libraries. As there is still a limit on how many people can come into a building at any one time because of social distancing, customers may have to queue.

The last date that appointments will need to be booked to use the Browse and Borrow service is Saturday (September 5).

Public computers will also be available to customers. 45 minute sessions will be available starting on the hour, on a first come, first served basis.

The ground floor lending library at The Harris in Preston, which is run by Preston City Council on behalf of Lancashire County Council, will be open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, from Monday (September 7).

County Councillor Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: “I’m delighted that we are now able to welcome our customers back into 15 more of our libraries.

“We are cautiously making our way back to normal and taking a phased, step-by-step approach to our libraries reopening. We are also making more of our services available in the libraries as well. I’m sure that our customers will appreciate not having to make an appointment to visit their library soon, or to use a computer.

“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 where we will announce further details of more libraries reopening.”

During their visit, customers will be required to wear a face covering. Children under 11 will not be required to cover their faces. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

When visiting the library, customers will be asked to provide their name and contact details to support the NHS Test and Trace system.

The online system to book an appointment, needed until 5 September, is available at www.lancashire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/libraries.

For those who can’t book online, appointments can be made by calling 0300 123 6703.

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.