Libraries Click and Collect service set to launch

June 30, 2020

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is pleased to announce residents can soon pick up their favourite books and novels through a new ‘Click and Collect’ service launching Monday 6 July.

The service will allow residents to make use of the libraries once again whilst the council works within Government guidance around social distancing with their plans to reopen the libraries in full.

Initially this service will be available from 10am – 2pm Monday to Saturday, with the team waiting to select books for you and make them available to collect safely from a library of your choice.

The service is available online or by telephoning your local library. Tell us what you like to read or if you have favourite authors, and our team will choose up to seven books based on your preferences, and also introduce you to authors who may write like your favourite authors.

Just let our staff know if you prefer large print or paperback or if you normally borrow from our audio book collection, and they will select the books for you and contact you with a pick up date and time for your preferred pick up library.

You will need your:

• Library card number
• Your library account PIN

Cllr Kevin Robinson, cabinet member for business, culture and tourism, said: “Whilst we continue to work on ways of safely reopening out libraries, I am delighted that from next week, residents will be able to access their favourite titles from across our libraries.

“We know that many people make use of our libraries throughout the year, particularly parents keeping children reading throughout the summer with the council’s summer reading challenges. We know that it has been a challenging time for all, and I understand the importance reading can have on mental health. We can accommodate all reading ages and abilities, with paperbacks, hardbacks, large print, audio books and DVDs available.

“Get in touch and see if our expert librarians can suggest a new favourite author for you and your family.”

To request an item, or to find out more, please visit www.southend.gov.uk/libraries or telephone 01702 215011

Our normal reservations service will be available again from Thursday 2 July.

Unfortunately, reservations from our SELMS partners are not possible at this time, but we hope to resume this service as soon as it is safe to do so.