Moray libraries to stay shut for time being
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It's going to be several more weeks yet until the Moray public are allowed to physically browse any library shelves.
The council says, instead, that it is planning a service to let people order books, then collect them themselves.
This 'order and collect' service will be rolled out across Moray's libraries from the end of August, starting with Elgin.
A spokesman explained: "A number of Moray’s library staff have been redeployed throughout the pandemic in vital Covid-19 response services, such as grocery delivery to shielding residents and the Grampian Coronavirus Assistance Hub.
"As demand for these response services is reducing, planning is under way for staff to return to their usual library and information services role and to safely re-open libraries.
"This means implementing an enhanced cleaning and sanitisation programme and devising an ordering system for the new ‘order and collect’ service.
"Staff need to be trained in these new systems while the council also maintains a Covid-19 response team."
The council spokesperson added: "While there’s still a need for the Covid-19 response work to continue we know that re-opening our libraries will be a real boost for people who have missed that service for four months now.
"The phased re-introduction of library services allows for a controlled re-opening and means we can offer this service in a safe way."
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