Yet more Oxfordshire libraries to open with face coverings required to be worn from Friday 24 July

Visitors to libraries will need to wear face coverings from Friday, July 24 in line with Government guidance as part of the same requirements that have been placed nationally on shops.

More Oxfordshire libraries are set to open next week commencing on Monday, July 27 in Headington, Blackbird Leys, Wantage and Summertown. Oxfordshire County Council has already successfully reopened 11 libraries with Banbury, Cowley, Carterton, Henley and Kidlington having successfully reopened on Monday, July 20.

Previous to that the Oxfordshire County Library in Westgate, Oxford was joined by Abingdon, Thame, Witney, Bicester and Didcot libraries in reopening on Monday, July 13.

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services said: “We are making great progress and it is a joy to see the libraries gradually reopening their doors to the people of Oxfordshire.

“The delight that people have been expressing to us once again proves how much people value their local library. Councils have been informed by Central Government that libraries and museums will be classed as shops as regards laws on wearing face coverings so from Friday, July 24 onwards our customers will need to abide by this requirement. We have put many other safeguards in place as part of our careful reopening of each library.”

“We will be starting conversations in coming days with the friends groups in those libraries where invaluable volunteers help us out to deliver the service as we look to build on the progress we are making.”

The county council has been receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers as each library has reopened. One social media post relating to Kidlington Library recently read: “Thank you so much Kidlington Library! I nearly cried, just so overjoyed to be back in my spiritual home. That's probably the longest length of time I've not been in a library in 31ish years, maybe longer. Long live the library!”

Meanwhile Oxfordshire County Council’s Museum Resource Centre at Standlake will also open on the week commence July 27 for pre-booked collection enquiries only.