Swanage Library, in line with all libraries across Dorset, is reintroducing overdue charges, after fines were suspended in the wake of the coronavirus crisis back in March 2020, when the library was closed.
Now that the library has reopened with measures to safeguard against transmission of COVID-19, Dorset Council is starting to resume a more normal library service from Monday 14th September 2020.
Start reserving items again
So alongside charging for overdue items, residents will be able to start reserving items again from the library catalogue. Library visitors will be able to make reservations online or in person at their local branch.
As there’s likely to be a big pent-up demand, there will be a temporary limit of 10 reservations per library member at any one time, to help everyone get the best chance of reserving the item they want.
Reinstatement of the regular loan periods
The third change is the ending of the temporary 28-day loan period and the reinstatement of the regular loan periods. So books can now only be borrowed for 21 days and DVD’s for 7 or 14 days, although they may be able to be renewed.
Library members are also being warned that any items that were already overdue on Wednesday 18th March 2020 and are still out on loan, will have started accruing overdue charges from Monday 17th August 2020. Overdue charges were suspended between Wednesday 18th March and Sunday 16th August, so library borrowers will not be charged for this period.
“Thousands of e-books, e-audiobooks, and even magazines, newspapers and comics are available”
Councillor Jill Haynes, Portfolio Holder for customer and community services at Dorset Council, said:
“We’re delighted to reintroduce the reservation system at our libraries so that Dorset residents can borrow the books they want.
“It’s also worth noting that thousands of e-books, e-audiobooks, and even magazines, newspapers and comics are available to download for free online. Whether you’re looking for the latest issue of BBC Good Food magazine, today’s edition of The Guardian, or a great book to read or listen to, just visit www.librarieswest.org.uk for more information.
“I’d also like everyone to tell your friends and family to join LibrariesWest online for free by visiting the website. Once they are ready to visit a library again, new members who have joined online, can call in to a library to upgrade their membership so they can also borrow physical items such as books, DVDs and Talking Books.”
