Library and Record Office services during Coronavirus (Covid-19)

• Community libraries
• Managed libraries
• Supermobile library
• The Record Office
• Historic Environment Records

Community Libraries

Most community libraries are now offering some services. You can see the current details we have on when they are opening and what services they’re able to offer below. However we would recommend checking their websites and social media accounts for the most up to date information. You can find links to these on our library pages.

Managed libraries

We have been taking a cautious approach to coming out of lockdown but our doors are open again and we are looking forward to seeing you! Details of services can be found below.

Browsing

Most libraries are now open to allow people to choose and borrow their own books, and although we aren't able to offer our full range of services such as events, meeting room hire or regular group meetings, we are now opening up study space in some branches. Please contact your local library to find out what is on offer, alternatively you can follow them on Facebook.

We have been working hard to ensure that libraries are as safe as they can be for you to come back to. Sanitiser is available and numbers allowed into buildings at any one time will be restricted to ensure that social distancing can be maintained. Returned books are quarantined for three days before being processed and placed back on our shelves, there won’t be any fines charged during the quarantine period. For now, customers are asked to limit their visit to 20 minutes so that everyone has a chance to browse. Find out more in our video.

From 8 August the government made it mandatory for face coverings to be worn in public buildings, including libraries. More information, and exceptions, can be found on the GOV.UK website. Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe.

Select and Collect service

We know that not everyone is ready to come back yet so we have a ‘select and collect' service at Filey, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Northallerton, Pickering, Richmond, Ripon, Selby, Scarborough, Skipton and Whitby libraries as well as many of our community libraries.

You can request books by calling or emailing your library and one of our library team will hand pick your choices and arrange for you to come and collect them at a time convenient to you.

The books will be ready for you to collect from the library entrance and you’ll be able to borrow the books for three weeks.

You can use the select and collect service by completing the  select and collect request form (doc / 372 KB) and emailing it to us or by contacting your local library using the details above.

Public access computers and home library service

People can book to use the public access computers at Scarborough, Harrogate, Whitby, Pickering, Filey, Skipton, Ripon, Selby, Northallerton, Knaresborough, Richmond and many of the community libraries. To maintain social distancing, we will be offering bookable slots and fewer computers may be available, especially in smaller libraries. Workstations will be cleaned between every use, with hand sanitiser and wipes made available. We currently aren’t able to offer one to one support.

If you would like to use one of our computers, then please contact your local library to book a free 45-minute slot.

Home Library Service

We understand that some people will still not be able to visit the library at the moment due to ill health, shielding, or carer responsibilities. We are pleased to be able to offer our popular and free Home Library Service. Books can be selected by the library team and delivered to your doorstep once a fortnight, free of charge. We will also collect any library books from your doorstep to return to the library on your behalf.

Supermobile library

Our Supermobile library is back on the road. We have a new temporary timetable which you can view below.

You are now able to come on board  to select your own books (covid secure arrangements are in place) or , if you prefer, you can still use the select and collect service. To arrange to collect your books call 01609 533878 or email supermobile@northyorks.gov.uk.

Books already out on loan

All books issued before lockdown had their loan period extended to 1st September. Items issued or renewed from the 6th July are subject to the usual 3 week loan period.  We have arranged for a grace period for fines while returned items are in 72-hour quarantine, so charges will not accrue for this time. 

Books can be renewed by calling 01609 532774 or by logging onto your account and entering your library card number and PIN. You can also renew at your local library or email us at libraries@northyorks.gov.uk.

Digital library

You can access library services online.

We’ve been spending more money on eBooks and eAudio to make sure that there's plenty for you to read. We've also introduced an additional digital audiobook service called BorrowBox and many titles are now available for simultaneous use so you don’t have to wait to enjoy them. Find out more and explore our digital collection on our eBooks, eMagazines and digital audiobooks.

We recommend that you download the apps to make the service as easy to access as possible.

Joining and PIN numbers

You no longer need to visit a library to join the library, renew an expired card or to collect PIN numbers to access online services.

PIN numbers can be issued over the phone on verification of date of birth and postcode. Membership card numbers and PIN will be emailed to you separately.

To join the library, renew membership or get your PIN number, please call 01609 533878 or contact your local library. Membership is FREE.

Subscriptions

We know that you haven’t been able to use your subscriptions during lockdown so we are making arrangements to extend them so that you don’t lose out.

More to read!

We're spending more money on eBooks and eAudio to make sure that there's plenty for you to read. We've also introduced an additional digital audiobook service called BorrowBox and many titles are now available for simultaneous use so you don’t have to wait to enjoy them. Find out more and explore our digital collection on our eBooks, eMagazines and digital audiobooks page.

We recommend that you download the apps to make the service as easy to access as possible.

Help for home schooling

There are a number of free online information resources available as part of our library collection to help support children. This includes:

• Britannia Encyclopaedia Junior is for children aged 5 to 11 and is a great place for homework help and to and find information about people, browse timelines, and compare countries. The encyclopaedia covers most school subjects and has links to the CBBC news website.
• Encyclopaedia Britannica Student (for ages 12 to 18) has more in-depth information on a wide range of topics as well as biographies and featured spotlights.
• There are loads of resources from Oxford University Press including dictionaries, encyclopaedias of art and music, research articles, bibliographies and biographies.  

Younger children will love ZipTales which features interactive stories with voiceovers, animations, games, quizzes and more to help make reading fun for children.

If they need a break from learning they can always read one of the hundreds of comics we have available in our eBooks, eMagazines and digital audiobooks collection.

Look after yourself

The Reading Well collection helps you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing. The books are chosen by health experts and people living with the conditions covered. Currently available are: 

• Reading well list for young people
• Reading well list for children
• Reading well list to support mental health
• Reading well list for people with dementia
• Reading well list for people with long-term conditions

Keep up to Date:

As a library member you can get daily news from around the world or read your favourite magazines for free using PressReader or RB Digital which are also available on our eBooks, eMagazines and digital audiobooks page.

Again, if you're using a tablet or smartphone, we'd recommend downloading their apps.

Our digital library includes these and all of our other free online resources including family history, business support and employment skills.

The Record Office

The Record Office search room is currently closed to the public because the ventilation and heating are not Covid-secure for public access. We are working to change this, but regret that we do not as yet have a date for reopening. We can still be contacted by email and will answer archive related enquiries remotely where possible. Access Record Office archives online.

Historic Environment Records

Physical access to the historic environment records is restricted, however the other services provided by the North Yorkshire historic environment records are being conducted as usual. A great deal of the physical records held within the historic environment records are scanned, some with permissions to digitally disseminate. We will try our best to acquire copyright permission to disseminate for any reports or documents requested to facilitate remote working and study – please do ask if this might help you.