Henry Bloom Noble Library fully back up & running

The Henry Bloom Noble Library has now fully restored all its services.

The facility on Duke Street had been closed at the height of the pandemic then re-opened with limited facilities as COVID-19 restrictions began to be eased.

Borough Librarian, Jan Macartney, says they're 'delighted to be 100 per cent back to business'.

She adds the temporary closure has allowed the team there to reassess how operations function there.

One of those is that anyone wanting to use one of the PC's or the free wi-fi will now have to become a library members.

PC users will also be asked to sanitise their hands before use with wipes also available to wipe down keyboards, screens and mice before and after they've used the computers.

Membership to the library is free and there's currently a fines amnesty in place for any overdue books.

Meanwhile, Douglas Borough Council's Regeneration and Community Committee Chairman, Stephen Pitts, adds having the library operating fully will have been 'sorely missed'.

He also commented: "It plays an important role that extends far beyond the lending of books: from providing an activity space for encouraging young readers to showcasing the works of local and visiting authors and, more generally, offering limitless learning opportunities."