Announcement: Selected LiveWire libraries to reopen from Wednesday 8th July 2020

 All of LiveWire’s library sites have been closed since March 21^st due to the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Following the recent Government announcement that libraries can reopen from July 4^th, seven library sites across the borough will be reopening from Wednesday 8^th July.

The libraries reopening are: Great Sankey, Orford Jubilee and Woolston Neighbourhood Hubs, Stockton Heath, Lymm and Warrington Museum and Library. Burtonwood Library is currentlyopen for Post Office services only but library services will also resume there.

Customers should please note that the opening hours of the above libraries will be not be the same as pre-Covid-19. The new opening hours can be found below along with some other useful FAQ.

Culcheth, Birchwood, Padgate, Penketh and Westbrook libraries will remain closed at this time.

Reopening plans centre on the safety of customers and staff, and are aimed at giving customers the confidence to borrow books in a friendly, safe and hygienic manner.

The library service has seen a huge increase in the number of e-books borrowed during the closure period, and the focus on the digital offer will continue. Also being expanded is the Library at Home offer for vulnerable customers, and a new Order and Collect service.

Other key points to the plan for reopening libraries are:

• There will be no charges for overdue books and other items issued from 1^st March.
• Items on loan have had their loan period extended until 30^th September.
• Social distancing in all areas of the library to keep both customer and staff safe.
• Restrictions on the number of people accessing the library at any one time and the duration of visits will be limited.
• A contactless returns and issue process.
• New one-way systems around parts of library buildings will be in operation, with floor markings and directional signs.
• All returned books will be quarantined for 72 hours before being returned to the shelves for people to loan.

Emma Hutchinson, Managing Director of LiveWire, said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce that seven libraries across the borough will be reopening from Wednesday 8^th July.

“We recognise the importance of libraries to our communities and the huge amount of work that has gone into raising the profile and developing these libraries over the past few years by both LiveWire staff, our partners Warrington Borough Council, the Friends groups and the wider community. This is why we have been working very hard to put in a place a range of measures that will allow us to reopen seven library sites across the borough in a safe manner for both customers and staff.

“We wanted to offer a physical library service in all parts of the borough – south, east, west and central Warrington – but to complement this will be our Library at Home and Order and Collect services, as well as our extremely popular digital offer.

“We are working closely with WBC commissioners to regularly review the ongoing re-opening of libraries and what is feasible in the coming months.  If it becomes possible to open any further libraries sooner, particularly those furthest away from our Hub libraries, we will endeavour do so.

“I’d like to thank our customers for their patience and loyal support during the months we have been closed, as well as Warrington Borough Council and our partners for their continued support.”

Cllr Tony Higgins, Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for leisure and community, said: “Warrington’s libraries provide a vital resource for our communities and are more important than ever during these difficult times. It’s great news that we are now in a position to re-open a number of them.

“The safety of customers and staff is paramount, and we’re working closely with LiveWire, as we re-open sites across the borough, to ensure that we are able to provide safe, welcoming environments for all customers and staff.

“A great deal of work has taken place to ensure local people can visit the library with confidence, with a range of measures put in place, including more staff to manage social distancing, enhanced hygiene and a new system of quarantining books.

“Safety will be at the heart of everything we do, as we continue the work to re-open every library in the borough, as soon as possible.”

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• When will libraries be reopening

Following Government approval, we are aiming to reopen some library sites from Wednesday 8^th July offering a full range of services.

 

• Which library sites will be reopening and when?

Seven library sites across the borough will be reopening from Wednesday 8^th July. The libraries reopening are: Great Sankey, Orford Jubilee and Woolston Neighbourhood Hubs, Stockton Heath, Lymm and Warrington Museum and Library. Burtonwood Library is currently open for Post Office services only but library services will also resume.

 

• What hours will they be open?

See below for the opening hours for each site:

Site	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Great Sankey Hub	12.00pm-4.00pm	Closed	2.00pm-6.00pm	Closed	Closed	9.30am – 1.00pm	Closed
Orford Jubilee Hub	12.00pm-6.00pm	12.00pm-6.00pm	12.00pm-6.00pm	12.00pm-6.00pm	12.00pm-6.00pm	9.30am – 1.00pm	Closed
Woolston Hub	12.00pm-4.00pm	Closed	Closed	2.00pm-6.00pm	Closed	9.30am – 1.00pm	Closed
Burtonwood Library	9.00am-1.00pm 2.00pm- 5.30pm	9.00am-1.00pm 2.00pm- 5.30pm	9.00am-1.00pm 2.00pm- 5.30pm	11.00am-5.30pm	9.00am-1.00pm	Closed	Closed
Lymm Library	Closed	10.00am- 1.00pm 2.00pm- 6.00pm	Closed	10.00am- 1.00pm 2.00pm- 6.00pm	Closed	Closed	Closed
Stockton Heath Library	10.00am- 1.00pm 2.00pm- 6.00pm	Closed	Closed	10.00am- 1.00pm 2.00pm- 6.00pm	Closed	9.30am-1.00pm	Closed
Warrington Museum & Library	Closed	Closed	10.00am- 4.30pm	10.00am- 4.30pm	10.00am- 4.30pm	10.00am-4.00pm	11.00am-3.00pm

• Why have these sites been chosen to reopen?

It is imperative LiveWire protects both customers and staff, some of whom are vulnerable. Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to open all libraries and ensure the highest standards of hygiene, social distancing and staff health and safety. We wanted to ensure that Warrington residents across the borough – south, east, west and central – will have access to a physical library offer, alongside the online one. The libraries that are opening reflect this geographical spread.

 

• When will the remaining libraries reopen?

It is currently planned to open the remaining libraries from early November, although this will continue to be monitored as further Government guidance is issued and is subject to change as appropriate.

 

• What library services will be on offer at the reopened sites?

The usual library services will be on offer including book borrowing and access to the Public Network Computers. The usual library services will be on offer including restrictive book browsing and book borrowing. Access to the Public Network Computers will commence from 20^th July.

 

• Will I have to prebook to visit the library?

Due to social distancing we will have to limit the number of accessing the library at any time and limits will be placed on visit durations however prebooking a visit to the library will not be necessary. From 20^th July those residents wishing to use a Public Network Computer during their visit will need to prebook a session in advance of their visit. 

 

• Will the toilets be open?

A limited number of toilets will be open at each Hub site and subject to an enhanced cleaning schedule.

There will be no public toilet facilities available at Lymm, Stockton Heath and Central Libraries. 

 

• What changes have you made to make the buildings Covid-Secure?

We have implemented a range of measures to help keep customers and staff safe. Social distancing will be adhered to in all areas and we have removed all library furniture to help support this. A contactless returns and issue process will be in place and new one-way systems around parts of our buildings will be in operation, with floor markings and directional signs allowing customers to safely make their way around. All returned books will be quarantined for 72 hours before being returned to the shelves for people to loan. Customers will be discouraged from handling books during their time in the library however wipes will be provided to ensure books can be wiped down if handled. And there will be enhanced scheduled deep cleaning regimes by staff including hand sanitiser available for customers and staff.

 

• Can children visit the library?

Yes but children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed.

 

• What support will there be for customers who are vulnerable, shielding or just nervous about coming back into library buildings?

As well as our extensive ebook and e-audio book offer, which has proved very popular during the period libraries have been closed, LiveWire is developing a new programme of activities and services, including:

• Greater online activities and services
• Order and collect book service
• Loan boxes for organisations such as care homes.

And from 8^th July LiveWire’s Library at Home Service will resume supporting existing clients, but will also expand to offer a service to those who are, for example:

• staying at home as they are shielding
• unable to travel to one of the one of the open libraries