Coronavirus (COVID-19) update for libraries and archives

Following government guidance on COVID-19 in March, the Council took the difficult decision to remove all 'face to face public access' to the County Council's libraries and archive services. The decision was not taken lightly given the valuable service that our libraries and archives provide. However this is an unprecedented situation and the health, safety and wellbeing of our customers, staff and local communities has to be our number one priority. 

Plans for the reopening, or wider opening, of council services are currently being reviewed in light of new government guidance and changes to social distancing requirements. 

Further updates for library and archive services will be published on cumbria.gov.uk and social media as soon as plans are confirmed. In the meantime, our excellent online services are available to provide access to ebooks, eaudiobooks and emagazines. Watch this space for a new reserve and collect service which we will also be trialing soon.

We're working as hard as we can in these difficult times to return library services safely.

The Council has taken a decision to waive fines incurred during the temporary closure period as customers will not be able to return books; however customers will be able to renew the items they have borrowed online.

During this difficult time we would like to take the opportunity to remind our customers that the services available online include e-book and e-magazines. The Library Edit: some of the best websites and online resources to get you through lockdown - all chosen by library staff, and helpfully grouped by theme.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding.

Full list of closures: (will be updated when there are any changes)

Closed:

Aspatria local link

Cockermouth Library

Keswick Library

Maryport Library

Moorclose Library

Seaton Library

Silloth Library

Wigton Library

Workington Library


Closed:

Askam Library

Barrow Library and Archive Centre

Dalton-in-Furness Library Link

Ormsgill Library Link

Roose Library

Walney Library

Closed:

Brampton Library 

Carlisle Library

Carlisle West Library Link

Cotehill Book Drop

Dalston Library Link

Denton Holme Library Link

Harraby Library Link

Longtown Local Link 

Nicholforest Book Drop

Carlisle Archive Centre

Open:

Hallbankgate Library link

Morton Library Link


Closed:

Cleator Moor Library

Distington Library Link

Egremont Library

Frizington Library

Gosforth Library Link

Millom Library

Seascale Library Link

Whitehaven Archive and Local Studies Centre 

Whitehaven Library


Closed:

Alston Local Link

Appleby Library

Bolton Book Drop

Kirkby Stephen Local Link  

Penrith Library

Shap Library link

Tebay Book Drop

Open:

Lazonby Co-op (Library Link) 

Closed:

Ambleside Library

Arnside Library Link 

Burton Book Drop

Grange over Sands Library    

Holme book drop

Kendal Library

Kirkby Lonsdale Library

Milnthorpe Local Link

Sedbergh Library

Ulverston Library

Windermere Library

Kendal Archive Centre

Open:

Broughton in Furness Library Link

Coniston Library Link 

Dent Library Link


Frequently Asked Questions

Fines for overdue books that would usually have been returned during this time will be waived, however we would like to remind customers they can make renewals online.

A 'contactless' Home Delivery Service will continue to be offered for any existing customers already signed up for this service. This means they will deliver your order but will respect the current social distancing guidance. However as this situation is constantly changing this will be kept under review.

Book drops in locations managed by the County Council will temporarily cease. Where the book drop is operated in a building managed by an organisation other than the County Council, access will be subject to the arrangements put in place by the organisation operating the building. 


Please be aware that stock in any book drops remaining open will not be refreshed or cleaned by County Council staff.  We will work with partner organisations to make sure access arrangements to these local book drops are clear and well communicated on our webpages and on buildings.

Unfortunately you will not be able to access the building for these other transactions. A poster will be displayed on the building about how you can now access these services or you will be able to check the council website for more information.

The ability to reserve items online will temporarily cease. 

Services you can still access:

We are currently making preparations for staff to return to our Archive Centres during Summer 2020. We are also preparing to re-open to public access on a restricted basis later this year.

Services that are temporarily unavailable:

  • Personal visits/ Access to searchrooms
  • Events and Archive Discovery Evenings, tours, group and school visit bookings 
  • Depositing / donating records
  • Volunteer sessions
  • Record copying
  • Advice on research and record sources, whether by phone, email or post
  • Digitisation service except orders currently being processed 

You can see updates on our our Twitter feed @CumbriaArchives.