In a turn up for the books, the University of York Library has announced today that it will reopen on the 27 July, alongside a ‘Book Takeaway Service’ from 13 July.
Morrell, Fairhurst, and Burton Libraries will be open for a minimum of 9am – 5am for students, academic staff, and other library users. This will include study spaces, running with a booking system to enable a “reduced occupancy”.
While Amazon Lockers and some PCs will be available, print materials will be exclusively available through the Book Takeaway click and collect service, or a postal loan service. These can be returned via a book-drop at the Ron Cooke Hub, and will then be quarantined for 72 hours.
Sofas, other soft furnishings, lockers, and the Library Help Desk will be out of use, with marshals enforcing social distancing, and hand sanitiser being available throughout the buildings.
The Library was closed at 5pm on 19 March, and will have been out of action for more than four months. The libraries at Kings Manor, York Minster, and the Piazza will remain closed, but the Library are keen to assure users that these will return “as soon as it is safe to do so”.