Library Services expanded

Click, call and collect services have expanded at Stoke-on-Trent libraries.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council introduced the services for customers to access books at Longton and Tunstall libraries in response to the coronavirus while library buildings have been temporarily closed. Between 6-12 July, a total of 1,223 books and talking books were issued through the service.

Based on the success and demand, click, call and collect services became available from City Central Library in the city centre and Meir Library on 20 July. Customers can order and collect books from Bentilee Library from Monday 27 July.

Councillor Brown said: “We have had such a huge response from library users accessing more than 1,200 books since we started to operate click, call and collect. It is fantastic to see services being so well used, and we have worked to extend this service to other libraries across the city to give more library users more choice.”

All items returned to Stoke-on-Trent Libraries will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before being put back on the shelves or issued to another borrower.

To find out more about click, call and collect visit: www.stoke.gov.uk/clickcallcollect.

Meanwhile children in Stoke-on-Trent are being encouraged to ‘get silly’ this summer during a reading challenge which aims to increase their love of books. Click here for more about The Silly Squad Summer Reading Challenge 2020

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is also reminding residents of national guidance which will mean wearing face masks in shops and supermarkets is compulsory from Friday 24 July. The changes will mean that shop owners can refuse entry if face masks are not worn, and enforcement will be done by the police who can issue fines of up to £100.

Councillor Brown said: “We are reminding all residents of these changes and to follow the guidance for the greater good of the city, to stop the spread of the virus. It is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off. You can make face coverings at home – the key thing is they should cover the mouth and nose. Face coverings do not replace social distancing. If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, you must isolate – wearing a mask does not change this.”