Ashburton Public Library is running a click and collect lending service while under Alert Level 3.

Ashburton District Council Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said the service met contactless guidelines and had been well planned by staff, who were keen to keep people reading.

“For a lot of elderly and single people, reading is a major pastime and great comforter in lockdown times.”

Users can phone, email or direct message their book request to the library and staff will issue the items and put them in a library bag which can then be collected at a pre-arranged time.

“We are aiming to provide a same day service, with hours of collection between 10 am and 5.30 pm,” he added.

Up to five items will be available at a time to users, who will need to verify their identity when library staff phone them to arrange a pick-up time. All items in the library will be available for issue, from books to DVDs and magazines.

Book bags can be picked up by other people, for the user, and users can return their books in the after-hours bins.

The collection area will be clearly marked and people will have to sign or scan in, and follow instructions.

Staff may use their discretion to arrange delivery for some users.

The library’s usual Books on Wheels service also operated today under Level 3 protocols, with EA Networks Centre staff taking over from Altrusa members to deliver books to house-bound library users.

To take advantage of this services during Alert Level 3, contact the Ashburton Public Library by:

Phone: (03) 308 7192
Email: library@adc.govt.nz

Or by direct message on Facebook: @ashburtonpubliclibrary