Wilmslow library set to reopen

Cheshire East Council is preparing to reopen its 16 libraries and library services on a phased basis.

The first libraries will reopen from Monday 6th July with others to follow in two further stages:

• Monday 6 July - Alsager, Congleton, Crewe, Macclesfield, Nantwich, Poynton and Wilmslow libraries will re-open

• Monday 13 July - Bollington, Handforth, Knutsford and Sandbach libraries will re-open

• Monday 20 July - Disley, Holmes Chapel and Middlewich libraries will re-open

People wishing to use public computers or access the customer service points will have to book an appointment in advance.

Following the pandemic, strict deep cleaning and quarantining of books will become routine and the number of people allowed into a library will have to be limited. Opening hours will also be reduced to allow the extra precautionary measures to be carried out.

Newspapers and magazines will not be available for the foreseeable future and some seating areas and meeting spaces have been removed. Group activities cannot go ahead and meeting rooms for public gatherings will be closed.

Councillor Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for communities, said: "Our library services are going to look a lot different but, sadly – but social distancing and the safety of our library members and users, and our staff, is absolutely paramount.

"There is a required 72-hour quarantine period for books and with all the deep cleaning and other measures we need to take, this is bound to impact on the service and our ability to operate in the way that we are used to operating.

"I would like to thank the public and our staff for their understanding and continued support of our excellent library service."

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Wilmslow Library