Arena

Coronavirus (Covid-19) - updated 4th June

All current loan(s) have now been extended to 31st August 2020.  

Please can we request that you hold onto books, CDs and DVDs.  We do not require you to make a special visit to your local library to return items and you will have the opportunity to return them in advance of the August renewal date.  There will be no fines as your current loan period has been extended.

We are monitoring government advice about relaxing lockdown rules and we are planning a phased return from w/c 6th July.  Details of our phased plan will be published on our website very soon.

Keeping our staff, volunteers and customers safe and healthy is our first consideration. When we re-open it's likely that how we deliver services will change as we return to normal.

Our library service continues online so that our libraries remain open, wherever you are in Devon, and our staff will continue to support our digital library service.

You can view and explore our catalogues and resources online. We have eBooks, audiobooks, eMagazines that you can access for free using your library card.  We have added new online resources such as Ancestry Library Edition and Medici.TV which are fully accessible from home.

If you need assistance please email your local library stating your name and library card number.  Please bear with us, at this time, as we are receiving an increased number of enquiries.

 

Coronavirus - Library Service FAQs

Renewals, reservations and charges

• All overdue charges incurred from Friday 20th March onwards have been suspended.
• We are in the process of renewing all customer issues so that no item will need to be returned before 31st August 2020.
• Please can we request that library customers hold onto books, CDs and DVDs and return them when we re-open. As mentioned above, there will be no fines and we will keep renewing issues until further notice.
• You will be able to view your new return date online by signing into your library account and proceeding to "My loans".
• If you have forgotten your PIN please click the 'Forgot PIN' option to get a PIN reset sent to your registered email address.
• During this time, online reservations will be unavailable. If you have already placed an online reservation, please note this will not be satisfied until 31st August 2020 at the earliest due to the system closure.
• If you need assistance please email your local library stating your name and library card number.
• Please ignore any automated email messages you receive regarding renewing your items. We are working on the system to stop these messages during our closure period.

Digital Library

Download and stream free eBooks, eAudioBooks and eMagazines.

• We have added 3,500 titles to Overdrive (eBooks and eAudiobooks)
• We now have 1,000 unlimited use eAudiobooks through RB Digital
• A selection of eMagazines are available on RB Digital
• Access eAudiobooks via BorrowBox
• Access the ‘Reading Well’ collections on our digital platform
• Online Reference resources
• Access to Ancestry Library Edition has been temporarily extended to Devon Library members at home, courtesy of ProQuest and its partner Ancestry.
• Our libraries are creating fun online content and live streaming events. Check out individual library Facebook pages for more information.

Join the Digital Library

You can join the library by visiting this page. Once you have completed the online joining form, you will be given a temporary [UNREG] number which will enable you to access our digital library immediately. As and when our libraries re-open we will process all temporary memberships registered during this closure period and we will issue a library card to you.

Contact us

• Via this website
• General telephone enquiries  0345 155 1001
• Contact your local library by email for assistance with renewals or any other enquiries.
• Please bear with us, at this time, as we are receiving an increased number of enquiries
• We can also answer general enquiries and/or forward on general enquiries to the relevant member of the team from our info@ inbox. Please email info@librariesunlimited.org.uk Please note that we aim to respond to all enquiries within 5 working days, but due to the current high level of enquiries and fast-moving national picture, we cannot guarantee this.

Vulnerable and older customers

We provide invaluable social contact for many of our older and more vulnerable customers. Many of our Home Library Service volunteers are remaining in touch with customers. We are also looking at ways we can remain in contact and provide some form of service during our library buildings closure.

Information and advice

Reliable and up to date information about the coronavirus situation is available from:

• Current NHS guidance
• NHS 111 COVID-19 advice service
• Current Public Health England guidance
• Devon County Council
• Torbay Council
• Digital Unite