Wolverhampton's Central Library will welcome customers through its doors for for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic on Monday (19 April).

It will be open for controlled browsing and computer use, with capacity limited to enable social distancing and ensure the safety of staff and customers.

A total of 16 customers will be allowed into the library at any one time and, to control numbers, people must book a 30-minute session in advance by calling 01902 552025. They will also need to wear a face covering indoors in line with national regulations, unless they are exempt for any reason.

From Monday 26 April, Bilston, Warstones and Wednesfield libraries will reopen for controlled browsing and computer use, with Finchfield and Tettenhall reopening the following week. As is the case with Central Library, people will need to book sessions in advance.

Robert Johnson, City Librarian, said: "We are delighted to be able to finally welcome members back to our libraries, starting first at Central Library on Monday and then at our larger district branches the week after.

"The health and wellbeing of our staff and customers is paramount and we are taking every precaution to ensure that we can reopen safely.

"That means limiting the number of customers we can have in our libraries at any one time with timed sessions for browsing and computer use which must be booked in advance. We expect demand to be high so I would urge library members to book sessions as soon as they can."

People must be a member of the library service to book a session. Membership is free; to join, please visit Libraries or call 01902 552025.

Meanwhile, the Select and Collect service, which enables customers to reserve and pick up books and other items, is continuing. Library members can pre-order titles online at Libraries, by emailing libraries@wolverhampton.gov.uk or by calling 01902 552025, and then collect them at a pre-arranged time from Central, Warstones, Finchfield, Bilston, Tettenhall and Wednesfield libraries. 

From Tuesday 4 May, Select and Collect will be extended to East Park, Whitmore Reans, Low Hill and Spring Vale libraries, with dedicated collection times at each branch once a week. The libraries themselves will remain closed to customers at this time.

Members can also continue to download bestselling eBooks and eAudiobooks for free via the BorrowBox library app on Apple or Android phones, tablets and computers.

To find out more about Wolverhampton's libraries, please visit Libraries or follow on social media at Facebook and Twitter for more information.