Library Service - plans for re-opening

Library Service announce plans for re-opening services

29 May 2020

Sligo Libraries are due to begin offering more services to the public from Monday 8th June as outlined in Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

However, it will be some time before full library services can resume. Preparatory work to re-establish the service has been ongoing since May 18^th, with adjustments to the types and range of services being examined in the light of Covid 19 restrictions.

In Phase 2, services will be provided to the public in a step-by-step manner in line with public health guidance.

What to expect in Phase 2

From week beginning 8^th June, arrangements for the return of items on loan to branch libraries will be put in place. From that date the Library service will deal with the backlog of requested items for which customers will be notified with a collection time and date.

In accordance with HSE guidelines, returned items will be quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours - therefore the Library service will not be in a position to recommence loans until at least the week beginning 22^nd June 2020.

Contact and collect

Our second priority commencing the week beginning 15^th June 2020 will be to create a system for the safe lending service via initially a ‘Contact and Collect’ type model. Contact and Collect will be made available through email at contactandcollect@sligococo.ie indicating your preferred branch library for collection and/or by phoning your local branch library during manned hours as indicated below. Each library member will be limited to 3 items at a time. Once your request has been received it will be processed on a first come first served basis and you will receive an email or text to indicate a collection day and time at your designated branch library.

Gradual re-opening

This means that initially library spaces will be restricted to library staff only and will not be accessible to the public. As the government roadmap progresses, the library sector will plan a gradual re-opening aligned to health and safety directives. But over time, and with caution and care, we will begin to re-open our buildings to the public. Certain infrastructural work has to be put in place in order to allow for safe access to the library branch network.

This work should be completed by the week beginning 22^nd June 2020 by which time the public will gain restricted access to branch libraries.

In all situations, the health and safety of library users and staff will be paramount. Social distancing will be observed where library users interact with services, and all health and safety protocols will be observed.

Online services

You can continue to use your library online!

Don’t forget, you can access library services online, and these online services will continue to be available as we move through the re-opening phases. You can:

join the library online;
download eBooks and eAudiobooks;
read magazines and newspapers
take eLearning or language courses;
watch or listen to storytimes; or,
take part in other activities like online bookclubs.
View Cruinniú na nÓg 2020 June 13^th an Online Experience.

Further notices will be issued as we progress towards a return to services. Please keep up to date through local media sligolibrary.ie and our social media platforms. See details below.

**Branch Collection Times**
Branch	Collection Days	Collection Times	Telephone
Sligo Central Library	Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday	2pm - 4.45pm	071 9111675
Ballymote Community Library	Wednesday and Friday	2pm - 4.45pm	071 9111669
Tubbercurry Community Library	Wednesday and Friday	2pm - 4.45pm	071 9111705
Enniscrone Branch Library	Wednesday and Friday	2pm - 4.45pm	071 9111653