Updated Q&As on visiting the Leeds Library for Members – 01/10/20
The information set out here is to help you understand how the Library is operating so that you are aware of any restrictions that might be in place when you are planning and undertaking your visit to the Library. In light of recent Government announcements regarding the tightening of social distancing regulations and Leeds residents being required to abide by additional measures in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the following information should prove helpful:
What are the Opening Hours of the Library?
The Library remains open for Members to visit. Our opening times throughout October will remain the same as for September:
Monday – Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10am-4.00pm
Thursday: 12.00pm-6.00pm
Sunday: Closed
I am feeling unwell. Should I come to the Library?
No. If you are feeling unwell for any reason and especially if you are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19, you should not come to the Library but follow government guidelines and seek medical advice if appropriate. This is to protect other Members and the staff team. We are sorry to say, we will have to turn you away if you are obviously unwell.
What should I do about returning borrowed items to the Library?
If you would like to return borrowed items, you, or someone on your behalf, can drop them off in the Library foyer in our returns box. The foyer is staffed during opening hours and all items will be quarantined for a 3 full days before being processed and put back on the shelves for other Members to access.
We do, however, realise that some Members may not be able to come into the Library for a number of reasons. If this is the case please let us know as we have set up a delivery and collection service for items and we will arrange to collect the items from you alongside our postal service. Please email counter@theleedslibrary.org.uk or call us on 0113 245 3071 and we will take your details and work out a plan for collection.
Are there restrictions on the number of people who can use the Library each day?
Following current social distancing guidance from the Government, we are working on the basis that excluding staff Members, we are able to have up to 40 Members in the Library at any one time, with seating for this number placed in appropriate locations throughout the Library building. You do not need to pre-book your visit.
All Members will need to register on arrival in the foyer so that we have a record of who has been in the Library each day in case a Member or a staff member contracts Covid-19 and it is necessary to trace their contacts. This information will be held for 21 days then destroyed. Staff in the foyer will assist you with this. Members can also download the official Track and Trace app and scan the Library Track and Trace poster that is located on the front door of the Library.
Are there any restrictions on how long Members can stay in the Library?
We are not putting any formal time limits in place but would ask that Members judge the daily situation for themselves in a sensible and fair way. If the Library is busy and there are Members waiting to gain access, then a shorter visit would be appreciated so that everyone who wants to can benefit from coming to the Library. If problems arise from this more relaxed approach, we will review the situation and may introduce a formal time limit. We haven’t needed to do this yet and hope that it’s not necessary in the future.
What social distancing measures are in place within the Library?
The Library has a one-way system for all Library users to abide by. The direction of travel is anti-clockwise requiring everyone to walk from the Main Room towards the New Room and then the Thoresby Room. In any area of the Library where there may be a need for Members to queue there are markings on the floor clearly laying out the position that each person in a queue needs to take. We have also adjusted the layout of the Library to remove potential pinch points.
Are toilet facilities fully open for Members to use?
Yes, both the gents and ladies’ toilets are open for Members. There is a restriction of only one Member at a time being able to use the ladies’ toilets, with one of those cubicles being dedicated solely for the use of Library Staff. There are disposable toilet seat covers for everyone to use.
What additional hygiene facilities and measures are in place for users of the Library?
Any person entering the Library is required to use hand sanitiser in the foyer before going upstairs. There can be no exceptions to this. There is also hand sanitiser located at the entrance to each room when moving around the Library anti-clockwise. It is recommended that if you have handled any items or touched any surfaces as you enter each space that you reapply hand sanitiser.
Should a Member handle any item from the collection in the Library then please place it in one of the plastic crates or trollies located in each of the rooms so that the item can be placed in quarantine for a 3 day period.
In a similar way, any Members who sit on a chair in the Library should use the card provided adjacent to the chair to identify that the chair has been used. This will enable the staff team to be able to easily identify which chairs and furniture needs to be sanitised during the day. As well as the regular cleaning that takes place in the Library outside of opening hours, additional cleaning will take place while the Library is open. Surfaces, door handles and other vulnerable areas are sanitised regularly during the day.
Doors and windows where possible will be open to aid ventilation.
Are Members required to wear face masks or face coverings when visiting the Library?
Yes. Following Government guidelines, the wearing of face coverings in the Library is mandatory unless there is a medical reason that you are unable to do so. We have masks available for Members to use. Staff will continue to wear face visors and/or face masks. Please make sure your face covering covers both your mouth and nose at the same time. The only time when masks may be removed is when consuming food or refreshment.
Members can partake of the following additional services and facilities:
The Library is providing physical access to newspapers and magazines.
In addition, the PressReader service enables Members to access over 6000 magazines and newspapers online at no addiitional cost. The PressReader service was originally set up for a temporary period via the ILA Association at the start of the lockdown period. Following positive feedback from a number of Members, the Library is commiting to extending this service once the ILA arrangement comes to an end shortly. There will be more information to follow very soon.
We have set up a delivery and collection service for borrowed items and we will arrange to collect the items from you.
We have a postal service and an eBooks Library
Refreshments are available again for Members to use in Coffee Corner. There is no charge for refreshments throughout October.
Members can bring their own food into the Library to be consumed in Coffee Corner. Please note that the only time masks may be removed in the Library is when consuming food or refreshment.
Members cannot access the following:
The Basement and the Librarians Office are not available.
The Library locker and cloakroom areas are closed.
The Member computers are not available to use and the use of the photocopier is only available when undertaken on behalf of a Member by one of the Library staff team.
Member Clubs including the Film Club, Craft Club, Book Club and Reading Group will not take place in person for the time being but will be reviewed as social distancing measures are relaxed. Book Club and the Reading Group have moved online to Zoom.
For further details on everything here please call the Library during opening times on 0113 245 3071 or email counter services counter@theleedslibrary.org.uk.
Thank you again to all those Members who have returned to the Library over the past few months. We look forward to seeing more of you over the coming weeks.
