Lancashire County Council confirms one of its Fylde coast libraries will reopen next week

On Monday, Lancashire County Council (LCC) will reopen 12 libraries in Lancashire, with Ansdell set to be the first on the Fylde coast.

The only library reopening in Wyre will be Garstang library.

Blackpool Council-run libraries at Layton, Moor Park and Palatine will also reopen on Monday July 27.

There are still no confirmed dates for the reopening of St Anne's, Lytham, Cleveleys, Poulton, Fleetwood, Thornton, Knott End, Kirkham or Freckleton libraries.

LCC explained that more libraries would open in Fylde and Wyre when risk assessments had been carried out by buildings teams.

Steve Lloyd, libraries, culture and registration services manager for LCC, said: "We are reopening the libraries gradually to ensure our staff felt comfortable, and because we have so many other buildings to work on making Covid-19 secure.

"We are liaising with our buildings teams to safely assess each building, to ensure there is enough space for social distancing.

"We recognise the importance of reopening libraries with Registration Offices as soon as possible, particularly in areas where the closest ones are Lancaster or Preston.

"Our priority is to serve vulnerable people. We have 64 libraries across Lancashire, and we felt it appropriate to take a staged approach. But we want to get more open as soon as we possibly can."

Mr Lloyd added that LCC was still discussing whether library users would be required to wear a mask with public health officials.

Ansdell and Garstang libraries will operate a booking system from Monday, with reduced opening hours of 10am to 1pm on weekdays.

Appointments can be made for these two services:

> 'Six of the best'

Complete the appointment form with an idea of the type of books you like to read. Library staff cannot guarantee that you will get books you like or haven't previously read, but will try their best.

You will have a 15 minute time slot to collect them from the library.

Books will be in a paper bag for you to take away and keep. Members will not be able to exchange or swap any and have to take the selections given.

> 'Browse and borrow'

Following a strict one way system and social distancing guidelines, members will have 30 minutes to browse, select and borrow books.

You can book an appointment here. For residents of Wyre and Fylde who are unable to visit Ansdell or Garstang libraries, LCC is still operating a mobile library service.