There's great news for book lovers with East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust's popular Connect and Collect library service set to return this month.
The service was a hit with residents when it was first launched last August and is set to return while EDLC's venues work towards a safe reopening for staff and customers.
The service - due to relaunch on Monday 26 April - allows people to order a selection of books chosen by a member of staff.
And now there are even more ways for customers to indicate their reading preferences. Library members will be able to request books through EDLC's online catalogue [opens in a new window], through the libraries' app or by using an online form [opens in a new window].
If you aren't able to access the internet, library staff can take your order over the phone. A list of the times and days this is available can be found outside our libraries or on EDLC's website [opens in a new window]. However, this service is limited, and customers with internet access are encouraged to use the online service freeing up the telephone lines for those who are unable to.
Customers will then be provided with a collection day and time slot. Access to the libraries will be restricted, so staff will bring the items to a controlled customer collection point, where strict safety measures will be in place to protect both employees and customers.
Libraries are following strict quarantine measures for all returned stock, so the items in customer orders will have been quarantined for at least 72 hours, as advised by Public Health Scotland.
If you have books on loan, these can be returned to our Book Drop bins which will be at the entrance of each of the libraries during these times for your convenience. A full list of times and days for each library can be found outside our libraries or on EDLC's website [opens in a new window].
All returned items will also be quarantined for 72 hours before being checked in, removed from members’ accounts and becoming available for borrowing again. Customers will not be fined for books kept on loan during lockdown or book quarantine periods.
Mark Grant, General Manager of the East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust, said, "The Connect and Collect service was extremely popular last autumn with many library members enjoying the tailored experience of having a personal shopper selecting their books so I'm pleased we are able to relaunch it.
"As well as providing library members with free learning and educational resources, books are a great way of helping people escape the real world for a while and this personalised service from our dedicated library staff is a lifeline to many of our residents.
"We understand that not all our customers have online access so once again we will be allowing library members to either order books online or over the telephone by contacting staff directly with requests."
A video to give customers an idea of what to expect when they come to collect their books as part of this service is available on the EDLC website. EDLC has extensive digital library and cultural resources available to residents which can be accessed any time by visiting EDLC's 24/7 Library page [opens in a new window].