North Ayrshire Council has launched a new ‘Call, Click and Collect’ library service.

From this week, local residents will be able to borrow up to four books, for four weeks.

The new service has been launched as libraries remain closed so that staff can continue delivering the lifeline Community and Childcare Hub provision as part of the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Residents can get involved in the new service by either calling their nearest participating library or visiting the council’s online library catalogue at: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/libraries

To get in touch if you are staying in Irvine, call 01294 271295 and Kilwinning on 01294 554699.

Requests can be made for a genre selection and library staff will then select the books, package them up and keep them in quarantine for 72 hours before they can be collected.

Staff will call or email customers to confirm a collection day and offer a one-hour collection slot.

Access to libraries is restricted, so staff will bring the items to a table located at the front door for customers to collect.

The process has been risk assessed and various measures will be in place to protect both staff and customers including screens, hand sanitising station and physical distancing markers.

If you or someone in your household is displaying symptom of Covid-19, please phone and cancel your collection.

Once books are returned, they will be quarantined for 72 hours before becoming available for borrowing again.

Anyone with library items that they have had at home since lockdown can use the book return boxes that will be located outside the participating libraries on collection days.

Councillor Louise McPhater, Cabinet Member for Participatory Democracy, said: “We are delighted to launch this new Call, Click and Collect service for our residents.

“We absolutely know how loved our library service is, and while we have an extensive digital offering available, sometimes nothing beats holding a physical book.

“Our library staff have been working tirelessly to make this happen safely, while also serving our communities throughout our hub provision. We hope our residents enjoy this new service and thank them for their continued patience.”

The Council has an extensive digital library and cultural resources available to residents. These can be found here: https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/Documents/EconomyCommunities/Libraries-Digital-Resource-Pack.pdf