Coronavirus (COVID-19) update for libraries and archives
Following the latest government guidance on COVID-19 and in light of the rapidly moving situation, the Council has taken the difficult decision to remove all 'face to face public access' to the County Council's libraries and archive services.
This means most buildings will close to the public but a few shared buildings may remain open if they host other services such as registrars - who are currently still offering face to face appointments on matters like registering a birth.
This means face to face access to libraries and archives will cease to the public from Friday 20 March at 5pm until at least 1 May, at which point future opening arrangements will be reviewed.
This decision has not been 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.
We will continue to offer the following:
- A contactless home delivery service provided to any existing customers already signed up for this service. We will be considering if this offer can be extended to additional customers however this will be subject to availability of staff and volunteers
- Access to our online offer
- Access to books in existing unstaffed book drops in non County Council premises in community locations, should the location be open.
The Council has taken a decision to waive fines incurred during the temporary closure period as customers will not be able to return books in most locations, 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. We will be considering how we can enhance this offer over the coming weeks.
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.