All local libraries set to reopen next week

Several libraries across Derry and the wider north west will reopen for the first time in five months next week, it has been confirmed.
By Brendan McDaid
Published 18th Aug 2020, 11:32 BST
THE WAY WE WERE... 2018: The Book Start Bear pictured with children, mums, grandparents and Surestart staff at a Surestart Edenballymore Book Start event held in Creggan Library. DER2418GS058THE WAY WE WERE... 2018: The Book Start Bear pictured with children, mums, grandparents and Surestart staff at a Surestart Edenballymore Book Start event held in Creggan Library. DER2418GS058
THE WAY WE WERE... 2018: The Book Start Bear pictured with children, mums, grandparents and Surestart staff at a Surestart Edenballymore Book Start event held in Creggan Library. DER2418GS058

Shantallow, Creggan, Waterside and Strathfoyle Libraries in Derry City will all reopen for the first time since the lockdown forced them to close back in March.

Limavady, Dungiven, Castlederg and Newtonstewart Libraries are also set to reopen next week.

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The local libraries are among 77 branch libraries across the north which will welcome back library members.

The move follows the recent reopening of 17 libraries including the Central Library in Derry as part of a pilot scheme. Now people across thenorth west will again be able to access the libraries in their area for book browsing, with limited access to IT also available. A spokesperson for Libraries NI said: “We would ask customers to work with us to make the reopening a success. Please follow the guidance provided, maintain social distancing while inside each library and please stay at home if you have any coronavirus like symptoms.

Full details of opening hours for all libraries are detailed on our website www.librariesni.org.uk.

The first phase of the pilot scheme saw the reopening of the Central Library in Derry on Thursday July 23. The second saw the reopening of Strabane Library at the beginning of August.

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Libraries NI announced back in March that “due to the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19”, Libraries NI was planning to temporarily close all public libraries and Out of Hours access from March 20, wth customers’ loans of books and other items being renewed automatically throughout the closure. At the time a spokesperson said: “With immediate effect, all mobile libraries and Homecall services have been stopped and all events in public libraries have been cancelled. This includes regular weekly events like Rhythm and Rhyme, Storytime, Tea and Newspapers, Knit and Natter, Library Reading Groups (all ages) and Got IT and Go On computer training sessions.”

The reopening dates are:

*Creggan Library Tuesday 25 August

*Strathfoyle Library Tuesday 25 August

*Waterside Library Tuesday 25 August

Shantallow Library Thursday 27 August

*Dungiven Library Wednesday 26 August

*Limavady Library Tuesday 25 August

*Newtownstewart Library Tuesday 25 August

*Castlederg Library Wednesday 26 August

Related topics:DerryLibrariesLimavady