Mobile library service gets back on the road

Jersey Library’s mobile library service, which allows people to access books and other items across the Island, will restart on Monday 20 July.

The mobile library service was suspended from 21 March as a public health measure during the COVID-19 outbreak. From next week, the service will resume with new measures in place to help keep staff and customers safe. 

These new measures will include:

• More time spent at each stop to ensure that social distance can be maintained, and that all surfaces can be cleaned between each stop
• Only one person from a household will be allowed to enter the library at a time
• Customers will be asked to use hand sanitiser before they enter the library
• A sneeze screen has been installed at the counter
• Any item returned to the mobile library will be quarantined for at least 72 hours to reduce the risk of infection. 

To allow the mobile library to be cleaned between each stop, and make sure that customers can maintain social distance, the Mobile Library service will run on an interim timetable, which is available online.

Chef Librarian, Ed Jewell, said: “The mobile library is a valuable community resource, which gives people across the Island access to our library services. During the pandemic, the Jersey Library team have delivered over 8,000 books and other items to people who are either self-isolating or shielding at home.

“Although lockdown is now easing, we know that many of our customers would prefer to have access to services closer to their homes. Re-launching the mobile library will allow us to support these customers, while still reducing the risk of infection.”

The Les Quennevais Branch Library is due to re-open during Level 1 of the Safe Exit Strategy: an announcement will be made ahead of any re-opening. 

Jersey Library will still be offering a home library service for people who cannot get to either the mobile library or to the Town Library because of health and mobility problem, or who are full-time carers.  

People who are self-isolating or shielding can also request home deliveries by emailing je.library@gov.je or calling (01534) 448700.