Customers will now be able to visit Kenilworth Library to browse the shelves, return items, collect requests and borrow books all without an appointment.

This is part of Warwickshire Libraries reopening of community services which began at the end of September. Libraries including Leamington, Warwick and Atherstone have already been operating under the new system.

The scheme is being gradually extended across the county, and Kenilworth and Southam are the latest two libraries to benefit from the relaxed measures.

Customers are being encouraged to 'Grab and Go' and will be given up to 30 minutes to choose the library items they want to borrow and issue them.

There will be no access to other services such as newspapers, no seating, and no public access to photocopying at this time.

A hand sanitising station will be available on entry to the library to ensure good hygiene and library customers are reminded that they must wear face coverings, unless exempt.

The number of people allowed inside the library at any one time will also be limited and customers' contact details will be recorded for NHS Test and Trace.

The new system means that customers will be able to return their items at any point during the library's public opening hours and staff will be available to help customers with queries about joining the library or their existing library account.

The former 'Click and Collect' system, whereby customers needed to reserve their books online and make an appointment to collect them, will now cease.

However, customers will still be able to reserve items online, as before the Covid-19 pandemic, and will get an automatic notification when their books are ready to collect, which can be at any time during the library's opening hours.

All newly borrowed items will be issued for the standard three weeks and can be renewed online if not reserved by another customer.

Councillor Kam Kaur, Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation, said: "Our staff have been working incredibly hard to make our libraries accessible and safe to customers, and we are now in a position to be able to invite customers back into a number of our libraries over the coming weeks.

"But this is dependent upon our customers adhering to the guidelines, so we all stay safe. We need people to wear a face covering if they can, sanitise their hands on entry, and social distance from other customers by following the one-way system."

The latest library opening hours and the library catalogue are available by following this link.

There will also still be pre-bookable access to computers at Kenilworth Library.

These can be booked in advance, with two computers available for 45-minute sessions. In order to keep customers and staff safe, staff support and scanning will not be available, but printing will be.

These sessions need to be pre-booked using the online booking service following this link or call 0300 555 8171 to speak to a member of staff about booking or email [email protected].

Customers can continue to access digital services, such as e-books and e-audiobooks through the BorrowBox online app, e-newspapers and digital reference resources, and events such as Rhyme Time and Story Time hosted on Warwickshire Libraries' social media channels.

Warwickshire Libraries' home book delivery service is still operating for people who are unable to visit library buildings as they are shielding or self-isolating.

For more details and support, you can email the Library Enquiry Service at [email protected].