MIDDLEWICH library will be welcoming the public again on Monday, July 20.

Cheshire East Council is preparing to to reopen its 16 libraries and library services on a phased basis.

The first will reopen from Monday, July 6, with others to follow in stages.

People wishing to use public computers or access the customer service points will have to book an appointment in advance.

Following the pandemic, strict deep cleaning and quarantining of books will become routine and the number of people allowed into a library will be limited.

Opening hours will also be reduced to allow the extra precautionary measures to be carried out.

Newspapers and magazines will not be available and some seating areas and meeting spaces have been removed. Group activities cannot go ahead and meeting rooms for public gatherings will be closed.

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Cllr Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for communities, said: “Our library services are going to look a lot different but social distancing and the safety of our library members and users and our staff is absolutely paramount.

Northwich Guardian:

Cllr Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for communities

“There is a required 72-hour quarantine period for books and with all the deep cleaning and other measures we need to take, this is bound to impact on the service and our ability to operate in the way that we are used to.

“I would like to thank the public and our staff for their understanding and continued support of our excellent library service.”