Fife libraries close to browsers as 'click and collect' service relaunched

Browsing in Fife libraries ends today as access to branches is being limited.
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The move by OnFife will see the roll out of a bigger and better ‘Connect and Collect.’

The trust, which runs Fife’s theatres, museums galleries and libraries, is putting a temporary halt to browsing to stay in line with Scottish Government advice which says click and collect services should be prioritised during the pandemic.

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Heather Stuart, chief executive, said: “We were one of the first regions to re-open our libraries, and have offered the greatest number of branches to support communities and minimise the need for people to travel for our services.

“The measures we have had in place in our libraries, galleries and museums mean we are fully compliant with all guidelines, but we also continually assess the impact of the pandemic on our operations.”

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She accepted the block on browsing would disappoint customers, but added: “We have always been clear that the wellbeing of our team members, customers and communities always comes first.”

The ‘Connect and Collect’ service was first introduced in the weeks before libraries re-opened in July after lockdown.

It allows customers to opt to have a selection of books which can then be collected from the their library.

The enhanced service will now include special ‘limited edition’ selections, being able to request specific titles, ‘lucky dips’, up to 15 books, no timeslots required on the day of collection and collection in-branch.

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And there will be some golden tickets’ offering surprise prizes.

Library members can sign up to a free digital service offering books and magazines.

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