Update from Aura Libraries

All Aura library branches will be closed until January 4, 2021, when our libraries will re-open for Select and Collect collections. Any further information or updates regarding select browsing and computer usage will be communicated at the earliest possible opportunity via the Aura website and our social media platforms. Visit our Facebook page at @LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries, Twitter page at @LibFlintshire and Instagram page at @aura.wales.

Select & Collect Service

All Aura library buildings will be closed for browsing From Monday, January 4 2021 in line with current Government restrictions, we are able to continue providing our Select and Collect service for customers.

Aura Library members can ‘Select and Collect’ books online, by telephone (01352 703750) or by email (libraries@aura.wales). You can browse our catalogue at www.aura.wales/flintshire-library-catalogue/ and place a hold on items to collect from the library counter. We will just need to know your library membership number, a contact telephone number and email address, your book requests/preferences, and your preferred collection point.

Loans will be for the usual three week period, however we will automatically renew items if they are not returned after three weeks: we would like to reassure library users that no fines will be placed. We do however encourage you to return these items as soon as you can so that they may be re-issued to another borrower.

We would like to reassure the community that we are following Public Health Wales guidance on reducing the risk of cross contamination by placing all books in a 72-hour quarantine on return and prior to distribution. When visiting the library please be aware that Covid secure measures apply.

Library visitors must adhere to social distancing measures, wear a face covering and make use of the hand sanitization facilities. To keep you and our colleagues safe we are limiting the number of people in the building at any one time and will require you to provide contact details for the Track and Trace system.

More information about our Select and Collect service can be found here: www.aura.wales/select-and-collect-service/

Home Library Service

As well as our Select and Collect service, our Home Delivery Service will also continue visiting customers as normal in the new year. We feel passionately that everyone should be able to access and enjoy library services, whether it is in person or from the comfort of their own home.

We would like to remind our library users, and the community as a whole, that our Home Delivery service is here to help you enjoy library resources without having to leave your house.

We offer a direct library delivery service that can bring library resources straight to the doors of residents across Flintshire who are unable to access their local library. If you phone the library on 01352 704400 or send us an email (libraries@aura.wales ), we can put together a collection of books that we think you will enjoy based upon your personal preferences and favourite genres. We will then pop your order into a bag ready to be delivered, free of charge.

If you would like any further information about our Home Delivery service, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us, either by phoning 01352 704400, emailing libraries@aura.wales or sending us a message on Facebook or Twitter; we would love to hear from you.

New phone numbers

Please note: we have had new numbers at the following libraries:

• Broughton: 01352 703760

• Buckley: 01352 703860

• Mold: 01352 703780

Our other library contact numbers remain the same and are as follows:

• Flint: 01352 703737

• Connah’s Quay: 01352 703730

• Holywell: 01352 703850

Digital tip of the week

As we are currently unable to provide physical newspapers and magazines in our library branches, our top digital tip for this week is to explore the hundreds of e-magazines and publications available to download for free via RBdigital or Pressreader.

To access most online resources you will need to enter your library membership number and pin. If you do not have this then you can join up as a member online via the Aura website for instant access. All links and further details about our digital library resources can be found on our website: www.aura.wales/libraries

As a reminder, Aura library members can access e-books and audiobooks for free from Borrowbox and RBDigital. Due to public demand we will soon be adding access to more e-book sites for you to select from: watch this space! All links and further details about our digital library resources can be found on our website: www.aura.wales/libraries

Don’t forget: we’ve got lots of fun videos to keep the children entertained over the Christmas break on our Facebook page, including story time and rhymetime sessions, as well Zoom reading groups for adults and children. For any further information, 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.