PEOPLE will be able to pre-order books to collect from Haddington Library from today (Thursday), with a new collection services due to open on Monday.

Plans to reopen some library services have been announced, with the first phase seeing an order and collect service launched in Haddington.

East Lothian Council said people were able to go online or telephone the library, which is based in the John Gray Centre, from today to order books and arrange a time to collect them from Monday.

Musselburgh Library is expected to follow suit early next month with a similar service on offer.

People will be able to return books to a collection box within the library during its opening hours; however, they will not be able to browse shelves or use other library services such as wi-fi or printing facilities.

Popular children’s activities and events will also not resume.

Library staff are expected to begin to return to other branches in the coming weeks to prepare their lending stock.

Councillor Jim Goodfellow, the council’s community wellbeing spokesperson, said: “Although there will be no physical events or activities within the buildings, the library services’ online e-resources and social media engagement continues.

“Library services staff are as eager as everyone to see our libraries reopen and are looking forward to when we can welcome people back to these well-used community facilities but we need to respect current health guidelines.

“Safety of both public and staff remains our top priority, which means we have to have in place appropriate preventative measures against possible spread of Covid-19 and it’s important to emphasise that, whilst some library services will resume, this is not yet an opportunity to return to ‘normality’, with the service operating at a reduced level for some time to come to accommodate safety measures.”

Library borrowers will be able to order specific titles or a selection of items including books, DVDs, CDs and audio books, which they can then collect in person from the library up to a maximum of six per person.

Only people who have arranged a collection will be able to visit the library at this stage.

Orders can be made by emailing libraries@eastlothian.gov.uk, calling the council switchboard on 01620 827827 and asking for Haddington Library, or through Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/click-and-collect-at-haddington-library-tickets-112439102382

Orders will be collected from Haddington Library at a booked time and date and return bins will be available there and also at the Brunton Hall, Musselburgh; John Muir House, Haddington; and Port Seton Community Centre, from Monday.

Initial opening hours for collection times for Haddington Library at the John Gray Centre will be Monday to Friday 10am-1pm and 2-4.30pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm and 2-3.30pm.