Praise for staff as main borough libraries reopen after lockdown

The move means a number of other council facilities are now available for residents as well.

This is the first part of a phased reopening of council-run facilities which should see the Museum of Wigan Life welcoming visitors in August and smaller community libraries hopefully open again in September.

Many of the staff in the life centres had been redeployed in the council’s emergency response to Covid-19 but town hall bosses said they had been itching to get back to their former roles.

The libraries do, of course, look somewhat different due to the coronavirus, with some of the fixtures having been taken out, direction signs put in and hand sanitiser made available.

Returned books will also be quarantined for 72 hours before they go back on the shelves.

The council said residents had been asking when the Life Centres would open their doors again but there was also some apprehension about returning to indoor spaces.

Coun Chris Ready, portfolio holder for communities, said: “I’ve had lots of enquiries about opening libraries, particularly from older residents, but some people have also been quite worried about it.

“We’ve been really making sure everything is in place so people feel safe.

“We’ve opened the bigger libraries first as they can accommodate that.

“I don’t want anyone to be in a vulnerable situation and I don’t want any feedback from people saying they didn’t feel safe, so everything had to be in place.

“The staff have worked remarkably hard to get this ready and hopefully it will all go like clockwork.”

Joanne Mitchell, service manager for the libraries and life centres, said: “We’ve done a lot of work cleaning books that haven’t been taken out for a long time, reducing shelves if we don’t need them, creating open spaces to welcome more people through the door, redesigning the floorplan.

“Staff are supporting and signposting people while maintaining a flow through the building and we are asking people returning books to use the self-service.

“The measures should provide reassurance and aid confidence for customers and staff.

“It has been a massive project but the staff are so excited about getting people back in the libraries.

“There’s obviously nervousness but the feedback I’ve had is really positive. They are really passionate about the libraries they work in and couldn’t wait to get back to it.”

As well as the library services residents can now head into the two life centres to see advisors face-to-face on subjects including council tax and benefits.

Anyone needing to speak to council staff does not need to make an appointment but will be welcomed and signposted to the right location at the door.

Coun Ready said getting the life centres open again was a crucial step on the road toward the full easing of lockdown.

He said: “It’s massively important to get people back into some normality, although with an air of caution.

“We do ask people to have a bit of patience with us because it’s not going to be easy. We need to work together in the Wigan way.”

The Museum of Wigan Life will be open again from August 13 with reduced opening times, while it is hoped the majority of community libraries in the borough will welcome book lovers again on September 14 as staffing levels will be back to normal by then.

However, discussions are still continuing with the volunteers in charge of Aspull and Hope libraries to work out when they can reopen.

Coun Ready said: “The museum is again something people have been asking about.

“People who go to the history clubs there have been chomping at the bit to get back in. It’s a bigger space and we can manage it.

“Everything is a trial at the moment and we will just have to see how it goes.”

The free eMagazine service is still available for those staying at home.

Find out more on the council’s website and social media pages.