What a wonderful feeling it was to reopen our library doors this week! We are so pleased to welcome our library members back into our branches and want to reassure you we are following government guidelines, and have put measures in place to keep all users safe.

You can visit your local Aura library to browse and choose your own books, use a computer, or to print and access the photocopier. To use the computer you will need to make an appointment to visit so we can make sure there is plenty of room to keep everyone safe:

• Broughton: 01244 533727

• Buckley: 01244 549210

• Connah’s Quay: 01352 703730

• Flint: 01352 703737

• Holywell: 01352 703850

• Mold: 01352 754791

Visits to browse and choose books are currently limited to about 15 minutes, and computer sessions to 45 minutes, and one per day. You will need your library card with you to borrow books through our self-service machines or to book a computer.

Opening hours:

• Broughton Library: Monday: 9am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, Tuesday: closed, Wednesday: 9am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, Thursday: 2pm-6pm, Friday: 2pm-5pm, Saturday: 9am-1pm, and Sunday: closed

• Buckley Library: Monday: 9am-5pm, Tuesday: 9am-6pm, Wednesday: 9am-5pm, Thursday: 9am-6pm, Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 9am- 1pm, and Sunday: closed

• Connah’s Quay Library: Monday: 9am-6pm, Tuesday: 9am-6pm, Wednesday: 9am-5pm, Thursday: 9am-5pm, Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 9am-1pm, and Sunday: closed

• Flint Library: Monday: 9am-5pm, Tuesday: 9am-6pm, Wednesday: 9am-5pm, Thursday: 9am-6pm, Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 9am-1pm, and Sunday: closed

• Holywell Library: Monday: 9am-5pm, Tuesday: 9am-6pm, Wednesday: 9am-5pm, Thursday: 9am-5pm, Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 9am-1pm, Sunday: closed

• Mold Library: Monday: 9am-6pm, Tuesday: 9am-5pm, Wednesday: 9am-5pm, Thursday: 9am-6pm, Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 9am-1pm, and Sunday: closed

Select and Collect

Our Select and Collect library service has been a joy for us to provide, and we are delighted to be able to continue this for the local community. We have so much enjoyed getting your book orders ready for you and have particularly loved adding in our own recommendations and hearing what you think of them. To make a Select and Collect order, contact us on 01352 703750 or email us at libraries@aura.wales, and we will continue doing our best to get hold of the books you request.

Back on the road

We are pleased to announce our Mobile Library is back on the road and looking forward to welcoming you back onboard. The Aura Mobile Library will once again be visiting towns and villages across Flintshire, bringing a world of books straight to you. You can browse through a wonderful selection of titles, from adult fiction and non-fiction, large print books, to children’s books.

For your safety, browsing on the mobile library is restricted to one customer at a time or two per household e.g. parent and child, as long as 2m distance is kept from the driver, and you will need to wear a face covering. Please be aware that browsing time might be limited depending on demand.

We are continuing to develop the fortnightly schedule to include some new stops and any updates will be posted via the Aura Wales website or our social media pages. We can be found on Facebook at @LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries and Twitter at @LibFlintshire.

The Mobile Library collection points are:

• Llanfynydd; Ffrith; Caergwrle; Leeswood; Treuddyn

• Mostyn; Penymynydd; Penyffordd; Kinnerton

• Saltney; Saltney Ferry; Sandycroft

• Flint Mountain; Northop; Northop Hall

• Mancot; Ewloe; Mynydd Isa

• Caerwys; Calcoed; Brynford; Ysceifiog; Nannerch

• Talacre; Gronant; Trelawnyd; Trelogan

• Penyffordd; Gwernymynydd; Gwernaffield; Rhosesmor; Rhydymwyn

If you have any questions or would like any further information about the Aura Mobile, call 01352 704400.

Your Online Library

Remember, you can join the library online if you are not already a member, as well as browse our online library catalogue, and download e-books, e-audiobooks, magazines and newspapers, all for free. Online library resources such as e-books and audiobooks can be downloaded free of charge from Borrowbox and RBdigital to a PC, laptop or Mac. Alternatively, you can download the Borrowbox and RBdigital apps directly to a smartphone or tablet.

To access most online resources you will need to enter your library membership number and pin. All links and further details about our digital library resources can be found on our website: www.aura.wales/libraries

We also have lots of online activities taking place on a weekly basis on our social media pages, including rhymetime and story time sessions available to watch on our Facebook page (@LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries) and YouTube channel (aura wales). You can connect with us online by joining one of our friendly and fun Zoom groups. From ‘Reading Friends’ to discovering Family History, we’ve got something for everyone. If you’d like more information regarding our Zoom sessions, please email susannah.hill@aura.wales

From everyone here at Aura Libraries, thank you for reading, stay safe and we hope to hear from you or see you soon! Whilst we may be facing difficult times, remember: we are always united by books!

• Aura is a charitable, not-for-profit, organisation responsible for managing the majority of leisure, libraries and heritage services in Flintshire. Aura is owned by its employees and operates for the benefit of local communities.