St Ives Library re-opens today. “The joy of actually leafing through a good book is something we’ve all missed, and now we’ve found a way of making it happen safely,” said Cornwall Council portfolio holder for libraries, Edwina Hannaford.

St Ives Library

There are changes, of course. For now, you can’t access books on the shelves to browse stock. But you can ask members of staff, who will be happy to choose a selection of books for you.

Alternatively, you can order books through Cornwall Council’s online reservation page, phone the library on 01736 796297, email stiveslibrary@LIScornwall.org.uk, or post a request through the door.

You can return loaned books at the library entrance, too, but don’t overwhelm staff and volunteers by all rushing back in the first week. There won’t be any fines for overdue books until the end of September, or indeed any cash transactions at all.

Returned books will be quarantined for a period to ensure they are safe to touch, and the borrowing and return protocols will mean safe hand contact between staff and customers.