Book lovers are being offered the chance to get back into books at three more locations across Perth and Kinross.

Following the successful reopening of Perth’s AK Bell Library and Blairgowrie Library, Culture Perth and Kinross is pleased to announce three more libraries will open their doors. The charitable trust looks forward to welcoming customers back to browse, borrow and return books, whilst operating strict safety and social distancing measures.

Libraries at Breadalbane Community Campus in Aberfeldy, Loch Leven Community Campus in Kinross and Strathearn Community Campus in Crieff will initially reopen for lending services enabling residents to return and borrow books from Saturday 5th September.

There will be new operating hours at each of the libraries; 9.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 4.30pm every Saturday and Sunday. A lunchtime closure will enable the libraries to maintain a rigorous cleaning regime, ensuring the library is a safe place to visit. Other changes that have been put in place, include limits on the number of people coming into the building at any one-time, social distancing guidance and the introduction of hand sanitising units. Customers are required to wear a mask for their visit, as per the Scottish Government guidelines, and will be asked to leave their contact details for Trace and Protect purposes.

A reduced People’s Network service will be available, and computers can be booked for 1-hour sessions. Printing and copying services will also resume. Please note that the library is not accepting cash payments at this time, however contactless and card payments will be available.

For those who are looking to quickly drop off their books, there will be return bins available at the entrances of the libraries. All returned books are quarantined for 72 hours. There will also be no overdue fees until the end of 2020.

Helen Smout, Chief Executive welcomed the opening saying “We know how keen customers in Crieff, Kinross and Aberfeldy have been to see their library services resume and our staff have been working with schools to ensure services reopen in a way which ensures safe use for school pupils and the public. We look forward to welcoming back familiar faces and hopefully meeting a few new ones too. Whilst our opening times are necessarily limited, customers can also continue to access the library service online with our digital library offer; will soon benefit from a new Click and Collect service at each Campus; and, for individuals facing difficulties in getting out and about we can even arrange delivery to your door.”

For details of the phased reopening of services, please visit the website, telephone Culture Perth and Kinross on 01738 44949 or email [email protected]