Library services

Library service updates

Phased reopening from 6 July

All libraries are now reopened, with the exception of Salcombe. Read the latest information about the reopening of Devon’s libraries.

A ‘Choose and Collect’ service is in place at most libraries – telephone or email your local library and arrange a collection date for titles selected for you (reservations using our website are currently unavailable).

The Devon Mobile Library service restarted from Monday 13 July running a reduced service.

The Home Library Service resumed from some libraries from Monday 13 July.

A book delivery service – books by foot, bike and post is available at some libraries.

Our services will look different for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, customers will understand measures in place such as:

• Libraries may have limited opening times and reduced staffing, this is for the safety of our staff and to enable them to have time to retrieve stock for requests, answer email and phone enquires, prepare items ready for collection and ensure safety and hygiene regimes are followed.
• For safety reasons, libraries may initially be offering a more limited selection of stock for people to choose from. All books and items returned to the library will undergo 72 hours quarantine before they are discharged from customer accounts and returned to the library shelves. We will be asking all customers to place returned items into a box at the library to keep them separate from books that are ready to be loaned.
• The reservation service will not be operating initially, instead a free of charge ‘Choose and Collect’ service will be available where customers can select books or request a selection of books, via email or telephone from their local library, ready for collection from the library entrance at a pre-arranged time. The full reservation system will be reintroduced after all libraries reopen.
• Some of our libraries are offering a new contactless book delivery service to customers who live within walking or cycling distance of the library. This will be of benefit to customers who are shielding, vulnerable or unable to travel to the library, as well as those who are digitally excluded and not able to access our eBooks online.
• We will be following national guidance on social distancing and safety precautions. Our libraries will have signs, floor markings and information posters to help everyone understand the procedures to follow. All libraries will have hand sanitiser for customers to use when they enter the building.
• Services such as computer access, printing and photocopying will be available in our pilot libraries with a view to rolling-out these services as more libraries reopen.
• Events in libraries will remain suspended for now but people can still enjoy the activities and events which library staff are streaming and sharing online.

We will continue to develop our online digital offer so you have plenty of choice from the comfort of your home. Find out more on the Devon Libraries website or the Torbay Libraries website.

For general information and advice please visit the Devon Libraries website or the Torbay Libraries website.

More news about the library service and the events that are continuing to take place can also be found on the Libraries Unlimited website.

Join the digital library

It’s free to become a member of the library and you will get immediate access to download and stream free eBooks, eAudioBooks and eMagazines.

Join the library now.