Wiltshire libraries and history centre plan for reopening this week

Residents will be able to enjoy a good book and delve into the history of the county, as Wiltshire Council prepares to begin reopening its libraries and the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre this week.

Council-staffed libraries will begin to reopen from Thursday 3rd December, and the council is working hard to open the volunteer-run libraries as soon as possible.

Westbury Library be open for browsing from Friday 4th December.

Last week, Wiltshire was confirmed to be in the Tier 2 high Covid-19 alert category from 2nd December, but this still allows libraries to open their doors to the public.

During the national restrictions, some Wiltshire libraries have continued to provide books and access to public computers through their order and collect service. More libraries will either resume this service or open their doors again for browsing, from 3rd December. For individual opening times and days please check the links below.

Amesbury, Aldbourne, Bradford on Avon, Chippenham, Corsham, Cricklade, Devizes, Downton, Mere, Pewsey, Royal Wootton Bassett, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Warminster, Westbury and Wilton libraries will be open for limited browsing. Bookable computers will also be available, except at Aldbourne due to lack of space.

Calne, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Melksham and Tidworth will continue to offer an order and collect service and bookable computers, as they have continued to do before and through the national restrictions brought in on 5th November.

Safety measures will be in place to ensure social distancing and keep everyone as safe as possible.

Box, Durrington, Ludgershall, Lyneham, Market Lavington, Netheravon, Purton, Ramsbury and Tisbury will remain closed for now. The council continues to work with the libraries’ volunteers to reopen these as soon as possible. Further updates will follow in due course.

The mobile libraries will also be back on the road in rural areas, providing communities with limited access and browsing.

All items borrowed, that were due back from 9th March onwards, will continue to be automatically renewed.

The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre will reopen from Thursday 3rd December, but customers will need to book visits in advance. Spaces are limited, and there are restrictions on the number of documents customers can see at any one time.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Libraries, said, “Throughout the past three weeks of national restrictions, our library teams have done extremely well to continue to provide order and collect services, mobile library services and innovative online resources.

“The History Centre team has been providing some fascinating online content to keep people occupied.

“We are looking forward to welcoming you back in person. Everyone’s safety is our utmost priority.”

Library opening times and contact details can be found at https://pages.wiltshire.gov.uk/librarylocations.htm and mobile library times at https://services.wiltshire.gov.uk/MobileLibrary/.

The online library content, which has proven to be hugely popular, will continue. Visit https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-active-communities for more information.

More information on the reopening of the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre can be found at www.wshc.eu.