Open Access has now resumed at South Gloucestershire Libraries along with extended facilities at Patchway Library, where the service will now be available at weekends.
Open Access is available on a limited basis while operating with Covid-19 restrictions in place, initially on Saturday afternoons until 5pm and on Sundays between 8am – 5pm, to begin with.
The service is now available at all of our libraries with a new, external door having been installed at Patchway Library to enable access when Patchway Hub is closed. A full range of services will be available to customers, including selecting books and DVDs, access to IT and printing facilities.
Customers will be required to follow Covid-19 guidance on social distancing and asked to wear a face covering while visiting. Anyone who is not registered to use Open Access can book an induction session from 5 July.
In 2019/20 there were 56,000 visits by 6770 customers to our libraries during Open Access hours. Introducing Open Access enabled our libraries to increase their opening hours by 80%, resulting in us being able to offer some of the highest number of library opening hours in England.
South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place, Cllr Rachael Hunt said: “It’s wonderful to see that our libraries are beginning to return to normal as they provide such a highly valued service to our communities.
“With people leading busy lives, Open Access provides flexibility around when and how our customers access library services so I am really pleased that the extended facilities at Patchway will mean people have even more choice.
“I’d like to thank the staff for continuing to deliver services over the last 15 months in difficult circumstances and also our customers for following the Covid-19 guidance as we emerge from lockdown.”
All libraries are open for people to choose their own books and there is substantial range for all ages and interests. Libraries are also re introducing ‘Rhyme Times’ for younger children, with sessions needing to be booked in advance.
Details of all the services available from South Gloucestershire libraries including Open Access is available at www.southglos.gov.uk/librarychanges or call 01454 865022.
