Library services during coronavirus

Last update Wednesday 14 October 2020

All our libraries are currently closed. We are working hard to reopen our libraries with a phased programme to ensure all services can be delivered safely in line with government guidance.

From Monday 12 October, the opening hours of the collection points at Hereford, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye libraries have been extended. Reservations and Click and Collect orders can now be made for Kington Library from Saturday 26 September, and library items can be returned during opening hours to any of these libraries.

Audiobooks and DVDs are now available to reserve online and there are no hire charges for these items while our libraries are closed. Further services will follow on a library by library basis as soon as it is safe to do so.

Click and Collect

Although our library buildings are still closed at this time, you can order books online and library staff will put together a selection to pick up from one of our Click and Collect libraries:

• Hereford
• Kington
• Ledbury
• Leominster
• Ross-on-Wye

Opening times

Collection points are open for the collection of Click and Collect orders, reserved items, and the return of library items.

Hereford, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye libraries

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - 1pm to 4pm
• Thursday, Friday and Saturday - 10am to 1pm

Kington Library

• Tuesday - 10am to 1pm
• Saturday - 11am to 1pm

We will email to let you know when your order is ready for collection. All Click and Collect orders will be issued to your account, packed in a bag, and safely stored ready for collection. 

Reserving items

You can reserve books, audiobooks and DVDs on our online catalogue to be collected from one of our Click and Collect libraries.

Returning and renewing items

Library items can be returned to our Click and Collect points. If you cannot get to one of these libraries, please keep hold of items until your local library reopens. There will be no overdue charges for returning them late.

You can renew your books on your library account.

If you are unable to renew a book, it may have been reserved by someone else so can only be renewed for two days. DVDs and audiobooks cannot be renewed online.

Coronavirus safety measures for Click and Collect

Our top priority is the safety of our customers and our staff.

• Customers  Only one customer at a time can access the Click and Collect point so you can have room when picking up and returning your books
• Face coverings  Following government guidelines, face coverings need to be worn when you visit the collection point. Our staff are also wearing face coverings when serving customers
• Social distancing  We are keeping the 2 metre distance in our Click and Collect points
• Returned books  All library books returned are quarantined for 72 hours in line with Public Health England guidelines before being returned to library stock
• Library cleaning  We have introduced additional cleaning measures including the regular cleaning of high contact areas such as door handles and counter tops
• Hand sanitising stations  We have hand sanitising stations in the entrance to the library for you to use. Our staff have sanitising stations too

Green sacks

Green sacks for garden waste that have been pre-ordered online may be collected from Click and Collect libraries. Order and pay for green sacks online and allow at least 2 working days before your visit.

Payments

We are not accepting payments in Click and Collect libraries at this time.

Joining the library and my account

If you are not a member, you and your family can join the library. You can borrow our eBooks, eAudiobooks and use our online resources.

If you are already a member and have forgotten your PIN, you can reset it on your library account.

Borrowing eBooks and eAudiobooks

To borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks, go to your app store on your smartphone or tablet and search for BorrowBox. You will need your library card number and PIN and to select Herefordshire Libraries when you first use the app. Books can also be downloaded to your computer or laptop.

For more information see eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Reading eMagazines and eNewspapers

You can now read magazines and newspapers using PressReader. Go to your app store on your smartphone or tablet and search for the app. You will need your library card number and to sign up for a 'Library or Group' account when you first use the app. You can also use PressReader online.

For more information see eMagazines and eNewspapers.

Room hire and events

All room bookings and events in libraries have been cancelled until further notice.

Home delivery service

The home delivery service restarted to existing customers on 17 June.

Stringent measures are in place to ensure the safety of customers and staff, and all government guidance is being followed. There will be no direct contact between customers and staff, and all returned books will be quarantined for three days.

We are working to extend this service to new customers as soon as we can safely do so.

Readers' group service

You can now return book sets to our Click and Collect libraries or to the County Libraries Unit in Hereford. Book sets will be available for collection from these locations from 1 September. If you normally collect from a different library, please contact us to choose an alternative collection point.

Contact us

As our libraries and phone lines are closed, you can still contact us by email at libraries@herefordshire.gov.uk 

For the latest library news and announcements see our social media pages - Facebook Herefordshire Libraries or Twitter Herefordshire Libraries.