Welshpool library to remain closed

Powys County Council will be reopening six of its libraries for an order-and-collect service from June 29, but residents in the Welshpool area will have to rely on volunteers.

Machynlleth, Llanfyllin, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon and Ystradgynlais will all reopen to allow books that have been pre-ordered through the new service to be collected.

A small number of staff will be making up collections at the six distribution sites, and collections will be quarantined for 72 hours before they are collected. Readers are also advised to quarantine books again for a further 72 hours once received, and to wash hands before and after reading. There will be no physical access to the libraries for members.

But it’s blow for the Welshpool area which has seen its library close in order to be downsized into the Powysland Museum (

pictured

) this summer.

A county council press release explained: “Readers who live sufficiently close to those sites (the six libraries) will be able to collect a bag of books from the library door by appointment only, following social distancing and hygiene measures.

“For all other readers, the library service will be working closely with local members, PAVO, partners and local volunteer groups to ensure that books are delivered safely to the doorstep, with strict hygiene procedures and social distancing measures also in place, similar to grocery or prescription deliveries.”

The council then goes on to ask “anyone who wishes to volunteer to help to deliver library books to your local area is urged to register as a volunteer with PAVO” (https://www.pavo.org.uk/help-for-people/volunteering.html).

“Community response support groups that would like to help to deliver this service across Powys are urged to contact the library service on library@powys.gov.uk or 01597 827460 to discuss further,” the press release adds.

From June 22, residents can ask for a new collection of books via the Powys County Council website (www.powys.gov.uk/libraries), or by contacting the library service on 01597 827460 or library@powys.gov.uk. Library staff will then put together selections based on the reading interests given, and these will be ready for collection at the six libraries mentioned from June 29.