New Connect and Collect service to launch in East Dunbartonshire

Date: 
Thursday, 27 August, 2020

 

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust is launching a new Connect and Collect library service for residents.

EDLC’s venues remain closed as we work towards a safe reopening for staff and customers. 

Until that time, Libraries will be offering a ‘Connect and Collect’ service - launching on Thursday 27 August - which will allow customers to order a selection of books chosen by a member of staff.

Customers will be able to indicate their reading preferences through an online form on the Connect Collect webpage. On Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 1pm, library members without internet access will be able to call William Patrick Library (0141 777 3141) or Bearsden Library (0141 777 3021) to complete the preference form over the phone directly with a member of staff.  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. Please remember to sign up and not simply turn up. Collections points at Bearsden and William Patrick Libraries will be in use from Thursday 27 August. The service will be available from Lennoxtown, Milngavie and Bishopbriggs libraries from the week beginning Monday 7 September with specific days and times to be confirmed.

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 at Bearsden and William Patrick Libraries on a Tuesday and Thursday between 10am-6pm from Tuesday 2 September. Book drop bins will be at the entrance of each of these libraries during these times for your convenience.

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.

Councillor Vaughan Moody, Joint Leader of the Council and Chair of the East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust, said, "I am happy to launch this new Connect and Collect service for our customers.

"Our libraries provide valuable and much-loved services to our communities and they have been greatly missed during lockdown. While we have an extensive digital offering available, sometimes nothing beats holding a physical book and our library staff have been working tirelessly to prepare for the safe launch of this new service.

"We recognise that not all our customers have online access so Connect and Collect will allow library members to either order books online or over the telephone by contacting staff directly with requests.

"We hope library members enjoy the personalised service that Connect and Collect offers, until such time as they are able to fully access their local library and benefit from the wide range of services normally on offer."

A video to give customers an idea of what to expect when they come to collect their books as part of this service will be available on the EDLC website.

EDLC has an extensive digital library and cultural resources available to residents which can be accessed any time.

 

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