Moray Council is planning an ‘order and collect’ service for its libraries during the initial phase of re-opening.
Scottish Government guidance states libraries can now welcome customers once again, subject to any changes needed to minimise the risk of infection.
A number of Moray’s library staff have, however, been redeployed throughout the pandemic in vital Covid-19 response services, such as grocery delivery to shielding residents and the Grampian Coronavirus Assistance Hub.
As demand for these services is reducing, planning is under way for staff to return to their library roles.
This means implementing an enhanced cleaning programme and devising an ordering system for the new ‘order and collect’ service.
Staff need to be trained in these new systems while the council maintains a Covid-19 response team.
Libraries will offer the service in a phased roll-out by the end of August, beginning with Elgin library.
A council spokesman said: “While there’s still a need for the Covid-19 response work to continue we know that re-opening our libraries will be a real boost for people who have missed that service for four months now.
“The phased re-introduction of library services allows for a controlled re-opening and means we can offer this service in a safe way.”
Dates for the phased re-opening of libraries and full ‘order and collect’ details will be published within the next three weeks.