The promotion of virtual library services has led to Warwickshire Libraries seeing a dramatic increase in the number of individuals accessing digital resources in the county.Warwickshire Libraries ...
The promotion of virtual library services has led to Warwickshire Libraries seeing a dramatic increase in the number of individuals accessing digital resources in the county.
Warwickshire Libraries have continued to offer online and delivery services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, such as access to e-books and e-audiobooks through the BorrowBox online app, e-newspapers and digital reference resources, and a home book delivery service for vulnerable and self-isolating residents.
Over 1,300 people have joined the library service in Warwickshire since lockdown began and downloads of eBooks and eAudiobooks have now passed the 50,000 mark – a 100% increase in the number of downloads when compared to the previous three months – with over 2,500 residents signing up for BorrowBox.
Last month, there were over 60,000 searches of Warwickshire Libraries’ free eSubscription services, which include Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Oxford University Press, Naxos classical music library and the Ancestry family history service.
A new ‘Click and Collect’ service, which will enable people to pre-order books online free of charge at http://library.warwickshire.gov.uk and pick them up from a library at a pre-arranged time, has launched today (Wednesday 8th July).
Customers will be able to collect their pre-ordered books from selected Warwickshire Library locations around the county. It is planned that Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington and Warwick will be ‘Click and Collect’ locations from Monday 13th July and Atherstone and Stratford-upon-Avon from Monday 20th July.
From Tuesday 14th July, customers will also be able to phone 0300 555 8171 or email libraryenquiryteam@warwickshire.gov.uk with their book reservation requests.
It is the first phase of Warwickshire County Council reopening face-to-face library services in the community after the disruption caused by Covid-19.
Councillor Kam Kaur, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation, said: “Having seen an enormous take-up of our enhanced digital resources, we’re delighted that library users across Warwickshire will once again be able to borrow physical books via ‘Click and Collect’ and pre-order their books online from Wednesday 8th July.
“To manage numbers and keep everybody safe, book collection will be on an appointment basis in selected library locations. From Tuesday 14th July, customers without access to the internet will also be able to contact a local library via telephone to reserve their books.
“Our libraries have been providing valuable digital services during the pandemic and I’m pleased that we are now looking at increasing the offer in a phased approach which has the safety of our staff and public as a priority.”
From Tuesday 14th July, customers can also use the ‘Staff Select’ option by phoning or emailing Warwickshire Libraries to request up to three books on a particular subject or from a genre that they like (e.g. crime fiction), in a specific format if necessary (e.g. large print), which libraries staff will then select especially for them.
Libraries staff will contact customers to let them know when their books are ready and will give them an appointment time to attend one for the six ‘Click and Collect’ library locations to collect their books. All other libraries will remain closed to the public.
Books will be issued for the standard three weeks and can be renewed online if not reserved by another customer. There will be no reservation charges.
People will also be able to return library books when they pick up their ‘Click and Collect’ books. Fines will be waived if items are returned late, but customers will be encouraged to return their items on time for the benefit of other customers who may be waiting for that item.
There will be pre-bookable access to a small number of computers at the library locations offering the 'Click and Collect' service. These are also planned to be available from Monday 13th July at Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington and Warwick and from Monday 20th July at Atherstone and Stratford-upon-Avon.
These can be booked in advance from today (Wednesday 8th July) onwards, with two computers available for 45-minute sessions. Unfortunately, no staff support or additional facilities such as printing and scanning will be available. These sessions need to be pre-booked using the online booking service at http://library.warwickshire.gov.uk or from Tuesday 14th July call 0300 555 8171 to speak to a member of staff about booking or email libraryenquiryteam@warwickshire.gov.uk.
For more information, visit http://library.warwickshire.gov.uk.