Library changes due to coronavirus

In line with Government advice, libraries in Surrey have been open for browsing and computer use since Monday 12 April. From Monday 17 May libraries across Surrey County Council will be reopening more services including study spaces and rooms for hire.

Please note: events such as rhymetimes and storytimes are currently paused. We hope to reintroduce these shortly and are working on ways to do this safely in line with government guidelines. Any changes will be listed on this page, please check back. We are currently offering a number of online events, including rhymetimes and storytimes, see our programme of digital activities.

From Monday 17 May we will start to open up the study spaces at the following libraries: Ashford, Banstead, Camberley, Caterham Valley, Chertsey, Dorking, Egham, Epsom, Esher, Godalming, Guildford, Horley, Oxted, Redhill, Reigate, Staines, Sunbury, Walton, Weybridge and Woking. Not all libraries will have spaces available on Monday 17 May. Please be patient whilst we open these spaces in a safe manner and in line with the Government guidance. Spaces will be available on a first come, first served basis.

From Monday 17 May we will open up our meeting rooms, starting at the following libraries: Banstead, Cobham, Dorking, Epsom, Stanwell and Walton.

Since the Service went into the first lockdown in March 2020, loan periods were extended for everyone, so nothing was due back whilst libraries were not able to open fully. Now that all libraries are back open, libraries will be returning to normal borrowing service. From 17 May 2021:

• All spoken word and book loans change back to 3-week loans, exceptions may apply if you fall under a special borrower category, for example.
• All DVDs revert to a 1-week loan period but remain at the cheaper £2 weekly charge.
• Reservation charges of 75p online and £1.75 in person are being reintroduced at pre-COVID rates however, our Ready Reads Service will remain free for contact free borrowing.

We recommend you check your account online or at a branch to see when your items will be due back. Now is a good time to check the bedside table or bookcase for any books that you may have forgotten about. Items can be renewed for up to 5 times online, at branch or through the Library app

Opening hours hours may vary so please check before visiting.

Customers will be able to continue to make use of the Ready Reads service where the library team selects books based on individual preferences.

West Byfleet Library will offer a click and collect service only. There is no public access into the building. You can return items, collect requests (reservations) and Ready Reads at the door.

No computer access at the following libraries: Bramley, Ewell Court, Lightwater, Lingfield, New Haw, and Stoneleigh.

Face coverings must be worn inside all library buildings, in line with current Government guidance. To ensure the library remains a safe space to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, a range of measures have been introduced.

Which services are we now offering?

You will have the choice to:

• Browse and borrow items in libraries.
• Ready Reads.
• Request items from the catalogue.
• Use the Public PCs and printing at relevant locations.
• Photocopying.
• Access the Library Direct Home library service if you or someone you know is a vulnerable member of the community.

Which services are paused at this time?

• Bus Passes and Blue Badges.
• Newspapers.
• Face to face events, rhymetimes, storytimes and Digital Buddy sessions.

Which in-branch services are now available online?

• Now available on-line via our Facebook and YouTube channel: Rhymetimes, storytimes and craft activities.
• Take a look at our online events programme.
• Join the library online for free.
• Book a basic IT help session.
• Access a large range of free eBooks, eAudio, eMagazines and eResources.

Opening hours

Library opening hours from Monday 12 April.

Online offer

We have a brilliant online offer at Surrey Libraries with over 30,000 eBooks, eAudio, eMagazines and eComics available to access for free. These can be read online or downloaded using the Libby app and Pressreader. We also have a well developed online events offer on our Facebook page with new video events added daily as well as an extensive back catalogue of over 200 videos on our YouTube channel featuring rhymetimes, storytimes, STEM activities, crafts and much more.

Request books

You can request your books in two ways:

1) Use the library catalogue to request a book and pick it up a branch of your choice. This service is ideal if you want a specific author or title.

2) Use our Ready Reads service, whereby you tell us the type of books you like and our knowledgeable staff will select titles to meet your needs. You can select up to 5 books using this service and can request books for multiple adults and children one form. A good service if you just want a selection of books.

Please note:

• Reservation charges of 75p online and £1.75 in person are being reintroduced at pre-COVID rates however, our Ready Reads Service will remain free for contact free borrowing.

Computer access

Please note: Computer access will not be available at the following libraries: Bramley, Ewell Court, Lightwater, Lingfield, New Haw and Stoneleigh.

Scanning facilities will also be available but only at the following libraries: Camberley, Dorking, Godalming, Guildford, Redhill, Staines, Walton, Weybridge and Woking. Time limit of 30 minutes on the scanner PC.

We are still using safety and social distancing measures to be able to offer this service. These include:

• Use the hand sanitiser provided at the library entrance before using PCs.
• Please collect a clean keyboard and mouse from the counter for your computer session and return it afterwards.
• Limiting the time on the PCs to one hour (speak to staff if you need longer for a government application such as Universal Credit) or 30 minutes for the scanner.
• Limiting the number of PCs in use.
• Only one person per PC (unless you need help).
• Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Printing available - please pay for printing by contactless.
• Reducing the amount of contact needed - staff at the library will not be able to help you, but there is a Digital Assistance helpline available, Telephone: 0300 200 1008
• Regular cleans of the PC screen, chair arms, chair back and chair control lever.
• Please use the PCs considerately and minimise waiting time for other customers.

Safety and social distancing measures

We have comprehensive safety and social distancing measures. These include:

• face coverings - following Government updates, it is mandatory for customers to wear a face covering when visiting the library, so please help to keep each other safe by adhering to this. If you are one of our customers who are exempt from wearing a face covering, we will be very happy to welcome you as normal. For more information please visit: Government Face covering guidance.
• rigorous cleaning in our libraries and hand sanitiser provided at library entrances.
• limiting the number of customers in our libraries at any one time.
• clear signs asking you to observe social distancing.
• protective screens at counters where you need to interact with our staff.
• reducing the amount of contact needed. Services which require close contact such as event and activities, use of public PCs and bus passes will be temporarily paused or moved online.
• introducing a new self-issue system giving you the option to borrow items via your smart phone in the libraries.

Keeping everyone safe

We are committed to keep you and our staff safe, so we have a number of measures in place to enable us to operate in COVID secure way.

We are also working with the Community Partnered Libraries to support them and what services they can provide.

In this section

• Ready Reads