Coronavirus (COVID-19) update for libraries and archives
The Government has announced new restrictions covering all of Cumbria from 31 December 2020.
In line with government guidance, our libraries will be closed for browsing and general access. However we will continue to operate a Select and Collect service for books and hearing aid batteries; provide online services; run the home delivery service; provide access to library premises to support community learning and skills classes; and facilitate digital access for those with essential needs.
Essential PC use available at selected Cumbria Libraries
Libraries are permitted, by a Government exemption, to offer library members access to the public PC network for essential use if they can't otherwise access a PC/laptop or the internet. Essential needs can include job applications, benefit applications, accessing public services, financial information, online banking, for educational purposes, to keep in touch with family members or to support their mental health.
Booking is essential if you wish to use this service: please contact the libraries below between the times specified to book your 45 minute slot. We regret you will not be able to just turn up without a booking.
- To ensure social distancing that there will be a limited number of PCs and time slots available
- PCs will be booked into slots to allow cleaning time in between each customer, but the actual session time is 45 minutes
- Printing will be available at the usual costs
- Please note that library staff will be unable to offer any support in using PCs - this is to ensure social distancing and everyone's safety
- We regret that library members will be unable to access any other service apart from PC use while they are in the library building and you will be asked to leave the building straight after your allotted time.
Services currently available from libraries:
Workington Library | Maryport Library | Wigton Library | Keswick Library | |
For Library Members to ORDER
Select and Collect | Phone 01900 706170 on Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm | Phone 01900 812384 on Mondays and Thursdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Phone 016973 42729 on Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Phone 017687 72656 on Mondays and Wednesdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm |
Appointments to COLLECT
Select and Collect | Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm | Mondays and Thursdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Mondays and Wednesdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm |
For Library Members to BOOK PCs | 6 PCs - Phone 01900 706170 on Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm | 4 PCs - Phone 01900 812384 on Mondays and Thursdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | 3 PCs - Phone 016973 42729 on Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Phone 017687 72656 on Mondays and Wednesdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm |
PC slots available | Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm | Mondays and Thursdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Mondays and Wednesdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm |
To ORDER
Hearing Aid batteries | Phone 01900 706170 on Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm | Phone 01900 812384 on Mondays and Thursdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Phone 016973 42729 on Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Phone 017687 72656 on Mondays and Wednesdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm |
Appointments to COLLECT
Hearing Aid batteries | Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm | Mondays and Thursdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Mondays and Wednesdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm |
Aspatria Library | Seaton Library | Cockermouth Library Link | |
For Library Members to ORDER
Select and Collect | Phone 016973 20515 on Wednesday 9.30 - 12pm and 1pm - 5pm | Phone 01900 68441 on Tuesday 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Phone 01900 822634 on Monday 10-1pm, Tuesday 10-1pm, Wednesday 2-5pm, Thursday 10-1pm, Friday 10-1pm and Saturday 10-1pm |
Appointments to COLLECT
Select and Collect | Wednesday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm | Tuesday 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Monday 10-1pm, Tuesday 10-1pm, Wednesday 2-5pm, Thursday 10-1pm, Friday 10-1pm and Saturday 10-1pm |
For Library Members to BOOK PCs | 2 PCs - Phone 016973 20515 Wednesday 9.30 - 12pm and 1pm - 5pm | 2 PCs - Phone 01900 68441 on Tuesday 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Phone 01900 822634 on Monday 10-1pm, Tuesday 10-1pm, Wednesday 2-5pm, Thursday 10-1pm, Friday 10-1pm and Saturday 10-1pm |
PC slots available | Wednesday 9.30 - 12pm and 1pm - 5pm | Tuesday 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Monday 10-1pm, Tuesday 10-1pm, Wednesday 2-5pm, Thursday 10-1pm, Friday 10-1pm and Saturday 10-1pm |
To ORDER
Hearing Aid batteries | Phone 016973 20515 on Wednesday 9.30 - 12pm and 1pm - 5pm | Phone 01900 68441 on Tuesday 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Phone 01900 822634 on Monday 10-1pm, Tuesday 10-1pm, Wednesday 2-5pm, Thursday 10-1pm |
Appointments to COLLECT
Hearing Aid batteries | Wednesday 9.30 - 12pm and 1pm - 5pm | Tuesday 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm | Monday 10-1pm, Tuesday 10-1pm, Wednesday 2-5pm, Thursday 10-1pm, Friday 10-1pm and Saturday 10-1pm |
Barrow Library | Roose Library | Walney Library | |
For Library Members to ORDER
| Phone 01229 407370 - on Monday - Friday, 10am to 1pm. Or email barrow.library@cumbria.gov.uk | Phone 01229 811674 - on Monday or Thursday, 10am to 1pm. Or email barrow.library@cumbria.gov.uk | Phone 01229 471742 - on Tuesday or Friday, 10am to 1pm. Or email barrow.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
Select and Collect
Appointments To COLLECT | Monday - Friday, 10am to 1pm. | Monday or Thursday, 10am to 1pm. | Tuesday or Friday, 10am to 1pm. |
For Library Members to BOOK PCs | Phone 01229 407370 on Monday - Friday between 10am to 1pm. Or email barrow.library@cumbria.gov.uk | Phone 01229 811674 - on Monday or Thursday, 10am to 1pm. Or email barrow.library@cumbria.gov.uk | Phone 01229 471742 Tuesday or Friday, 10am to 12.45pm. Or email barrow.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
PC Slots Available | 6 PCs Monday - Friday, 10am to 12.45pm. | 2 PCs Monday or Thursday, 10am to 12.45pm. | 2 PCs Tuesday or Friday, 10am to 12.45pm. |
To ORDER Hearing Aid Batteries | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Appointments to COLLECT Hearing Aid Batteries | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Brampton Library | Carlisle Library | Longtown Library | |
For Library
| 01228 227317 - phone orders on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm.
or Carlisle.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 01228 227317 - phone orders on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm.
or Carlisle.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 01228 227317 - phone orders on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm.
or Carlisle.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
To COLLECT
Select and Collect | Wednesday 1pm to 4pm | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30am - 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm. | Wednesday 1pm to 4pm |
For Library
Members to BOOK PCs | 1 PC
01228 227317 - phone on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm. Carlisle.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 6 PC
01228 227317 - phone on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm and 4.30pm. Carlisle.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 2 PC
01228 227317 - phone on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm. Carlisle.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
PC Slots Available | Wednesday 1pm to 4pm | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm. | Wednesday 1pm to 4pm |
To ORDER
Hearing Aid Batteries | Not available | Phone 01228 227317 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm | Not available |
To COLLECT
Hearing Aid Batteries | Not available | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm. | Not available |
General Enquiries | 016977 2189 on Wednesdays 1pm to 4pm or Carlisle Library on 01228 227317 | Phone 01228 227317 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 4.30pm | 01228 791638 on Wednesdays 1pm to 4pm or Carlisle Library on 01228 227317 |
Whitehaven Library | Cleator Moor Library | Millom Library | |
For Library
Members to ORDER Select and Collect | 01946 506400 - phone on Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 01946 814523 - phone on Tuesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 01229 772445 - phone on Monday 9.30am - 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm, Thursday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, and Friday 9.30am to 1pm. |
To COLLECT
Select and Collect | Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | Tuesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm. | Monday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm, Thursday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Friday 9.30am to 1pm. |
For Library
Members to BOOK PCs | 01946 506400 - phone on Monday and Friday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | 01946 814523 - phone on Tuesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 01229 772445 - phone on Monday 9.30am - 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm, Thursday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, and Friday 9.30am to 1pm. |
PC Slots Available | Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | Tuesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm. | Monday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm, Thursday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Friday 9.30am to 1pm. |
To ORDER
Hearing Aid Batteries | 01946 506400 - phone on Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | 01946 814523 - phone on Tuesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 01229 772445 - phone on Monday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm and 5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm, Thursday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, and Friday 9.30am to 1pm. |
Appointments To COLLECT
Heating Aid Batteries | Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | Tuesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk | Monday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm, Thursday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, and Friday 9.30am to 1pm. |
General Enquiries | 01946 506400 - Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | 01946 814523 - Tuesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm. | 01229 772445 - phone on Monday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm and 5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm, Thursday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, and Friday 9.30am to 1pm. |
Egremont Library | Frizington Library | |
For Library
Members to ORDER Select and Collect | 01946 505585 - Monday and Thursday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 01946 505595 - Wednesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
To COLLECT
Select and Collect | Monday and Thursday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | Wednesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 2pm to 5pm. |
For Library
Members to BOOK PCs | 01946 505585 - Monday and Thursday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | 01946 505595 - Wednesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
PC Slots Available | Monday and Thursday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | Wednesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 2pm to 5pm. |
To ORDER
Hearing Aid Batteries | 01946 505585 - Monday and Thursday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | 01946 505595 - Wednesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
Appointments To COLLECT
Heating Aid Batteries | Monday and Thursday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | Wednesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 2pm to 5pm.
Or whitehaven.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
General Enquiries | 01946 505585 - Monday and Thursday, 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. | 01946 505595 - Wednesday, 2pm to 5pm, Friday 2pm to 5pm. |
Penrith Library | Appleby Library | Kirkby Stephen Library Link | |
For Library Members to
ORDER Select and Collect | 01768 812103 - phone on Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4pm.
Or email Penrith.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 017683 51170 - phone on Monday and Friday 10am to 4pm.
Or email Appleby.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 017683 71775 - phone on Monday and Wednesday 10-12 and 1-3pm Or email Penrith.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
To COLLECT
Select and Collect | As above | As above | As above |
For Library Members to
BOOK PCs | 2 PCs
Phone 01768 812103 Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. | 1 PC
Phone 01768 51170 Monday and Friday 10am to 4pm. | Not available |
PC Slots Available | Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. | Monday and Friday 10am to 4pm. | Not available |
General Enquiries | Phone 01768 812103
Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. | Phone 01768 51170
Monday and Friday 10am to 4pm. | Phone 017683 71775
Monday and Wednesday 10-12 and 1-3pm. |
To ORDER
Hearing Aid Batteries | Phone 01768 812103
Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. | Not available | Not available |
Appointments to
COLLECT Hearing Aid Batteries | Monday to Friday 10am to - 4pm. | Not available | Not available |
Kendal Library | Ulverston Library | Grange Library | |
For Library
Members to ORDER Select and Collect | 01539 713524 - phone on Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm.
or Kendal.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 01229 404151 - Select and Collect ordering Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 1pm Select and Collect Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am to 4pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm
| 015395 32749 - phone Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 1pm |
To COLLECT
Select and Collect | Monday to Friday, 2pm to 4pm | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am to 4pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm | Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm |
For Library
Members BOOK PCs | 4 PCs
| 4 PCs
Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 1pm. | 3 PCs
Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 1pm. |
PC Slots Available | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm. Wednesday 2pm to 5pm | Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm,
Friday 9.30am to 1pm. | Wednesday 9am to 1pm. |
General Enquiries | 01539 713524 - on Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm. | 01229 404151 - Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 1pm | 015395 32749 - Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 1pm |
To ORDER
Hearing Aid Batteries | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Appointments to COLLECT
Hearing Aid Batteries | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Ambleside Library | Windermere Library | |
For Library
Members to ORDER Select and Collect | 015394 32507 - phone on Monday and Friday 9.30am to 1pm
or Kendal.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 015394 88945 - phone on Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 4pm
or Kendal.library@cumbria.gov.uk |
To COLLECT
Select and Collect | Monday and Friday, 9.30am to 1pm | Tuesday and Thursday 2pm to 4pm |
For Library
Members BOOK PCs | 2 PCs
015394 32507 - Monday and Friday 9.30am to 1pm. | 2 PCs
015394 88945 - Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 1pm. |
PC Slots Available | Monday and Friday 9.30am to 1pm. | Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 1pm. |
General Enquiries | 015394 32507 - on Monday and Friday 10am to 1pm. | 015394 88945 - on Tuesday and Friday 10am to 1pm. |
To ORDER
Hearing Aid Batteries | Not Available | Not Available |
Appointments to COLLECT
Hearing Aid Batteries | Not Available | Not Available |
Kirkby Lonsdale Library | Milnthorpe Library | Sedbergh Library | |
For Library
Members to ORDER Select and Collect | 01539 713524 - Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm.
or Kendal.library@cumbria.gov.uk | 01539 713524 - Select and Collect ordering Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm | 01539 713524 - Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm |
To COLLECT
Select and Collect | Tuesdays, 2pm to 5pm | Wednesdays, 2pm to 5pm | Wednesdays, 10am to 1pm |
For Library
Members BOOK PCs | 1 PC
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm. | 1 PC
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm. | 1 PC
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm. |
PC Slots Available | Tuesdays, 2pm to 5pm | Wednesdays, 2pm to 5pm | Wednesdays, 10am to 1pm |
General Enquiries | 01539 713524 - on Monday to Friday 10am - 3pm. | ||
To ORDER
Hearing Aid Batteries | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Appointments to COLLECT
Hearing Aid Batteries | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Cumbria was moved into Tier 4 area Covid-19 restrictions on 31 December 2020.
All Cumbria Archive Centres have closed to the public until further notice.
We will continue to provide an enhanced remote enquiry service.
We will announce any changes to our services on this page and on our Twitter feed @CumbriaArchives
Frequently Asked Questions
Our reopened libraries all have regular cleaning, perspex screens at staffed points with staff having appropriate PPE, and hand sanitisers available for customers. Layouts have been revised to enable social distancing and signage throughout will guide customers as to these safety measures. Each library has a capacity of people who can be in it at one time. We are keeping all these measures under review.
As each library has to restrict the number of people to allow social distancing, we would encourage you to restrict your visits to once per day, and to ask people to only visit the library individually, unless they are with a carer. We also ask you to restrict your visit to 30 minutes (unless you are using a PC where session times are limited to 45 minutes).
All libraries are part of the NHS Test and Trace programme; you will be asked for a name and contact number when you arrive, or to scan the QR code. Please note that it is a legal requirement to wear a face covering (unless you possess an exemption).
Yes. Please provide identification of you name and address.
If you only want to use our digital online resources you can get instant membership online.
You and your family are welcome to visit in household groups. Children aged 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Like other areas of the library, sections for children and young people have clear signage indicating flow and distance; adjustments to layout may mean there are slightly fewer books. In order to reduce the potential for virus transmission, all toys and sensory resources have been removed for the time being. Our Facebook pages often have filmed story times and singing sessions instead of in-library events.
Because of social distancing guidelines we have removed all chairs and tables. If you feel unwell and need to sit down please ask a member of staff who will be able to bring a chair for you.
Public PCs are available, but numbers at each library have been reduced to ensure social distancing and we therefore recommend booking in advance directly with your local library (session times are limited to 45 minutes). There will be cleaning equipment available for user to clean the PCs before and after use.
We advise you to book in advance in order to make sure you can access a PC as people dropping in may not be guaranteed a computer. Please contact the appropriate library to book.
You can use a PC for 45 minutes. Because of social distancing and the need to reduce visit time to buildings, we have reduced the number of PCs available to the public and can only offer customers 45 minutes' access each day.
Photocopiers are only available in a limited number of libraries where they are coin operated and staff won't be able to give assistance. Microfilm readers will not be available, and there won't be a scanning service at this time.
We are not able to process Bus Pass applications but can give you a form to fill and give details of where to return it to.
Parking Permits can be requested online or phone the Highways Hotline on 03003 032992 or by post at Parking Services, Cumbria County Council, PO Box 415, Carlisle, CA1 9GU
You can collect Hearing Aid batteries in person from the Library but we are unable to post them out or arrange for someone to collect them for you using our Select and Collect service.
Toilets and baby changing facilities are not generally open to the public.
Drinks machines will not available and food and drink must not be brought into the library.
Activities or drop-ins remain suspended; we will introduce our services gradually in line with the latest public health advice. In the meantime, please see our library Facebook pages for digital versions of many of our regular children's sessions and other links to community information.
As library authorities are only able to offer limited services, and due to the uncertainty surrounding local outbreaks, Findmypast have decided that they will keep home access in place, but, they are reviewing this on a monthly basis.
This service is available to people who are unable to visit the library because of mobility problems or ill health conditions and who have no one who can go to a library on their behalf. For those library members who currently can't visit a main library in person, alternatively a friend or family member can collect a prepared selection of books from them using our Select and Collect service.
Cumbria Library Service is working with the partner organisations who host Library Links to see when they can safely be reopened; some will reopen imminently but for others no dates can yet be given. Cumbria Library Service is currently not operating book drops.
Work is underway to return these services but it is being done in phases due to the health and safety and logistical challenges.
The Reading Group Loan Service team is working on an area by area basis, and they are currently contacting groups within each specific area, asking them if they would like to resume having collections of books. Book Groups are kindly requested not to contact the team directly and to wait for them to make contact with you.