We are still in Phase 1 of re-opening the libraries, using the Order & Collect system at the five main branches in Haverfordwest, Fishguard, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Tenby. We would like to keep everyone informed about the phases of reopening of the libraries by email; if this is acceptable to you, please let library staff know so that we can check to see if we have your email address on file. We will of course be using other channels too, so information is available on the Pembrokeshire Libraries Facebook page and right here in the local press too!

To use the Order & Collect system customers can either go online or phone the branch where staff will take your requests. The library catalogue is also available online, through the Council website at https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/libraries-and-culture, which might help with making your choices. There is a link to the order form from the catalogue home page, or you could go direct to the order form at https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-guidance/libraries-re-opening which when completed goes straight to the library. You will need to have your library card number to hand, and tell us which authors and genres you like to read. We will always try to satisfy requests, but we are currently restricted to what is on our shelves in the branch, so we hope our borrowers are willing to be flexible.

We offer appointments for collecting and returning in 10 minute slots, so please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your appointment to reduce contact with other users. The library counter is now a table with a Perspex screen just inside the automatic doors and items to be returned can go in the box beneath the table. Borrowed items can be returned to any of the five library branches, not just the one they were borrowed from, and returned items are quarantined for 3 days before being made available to other borrowers.

Library users who drive can park in one of the 30-minute bays directly outside the library; these don’t need a parking permit. Everywhere else in the car park requires a permit and as the car park is patrolled by Parking Enforcement Officers any vehicles parked without a permit may receive a penalty notice.

We are not currently able to handle cash, so any reservation fees or overdue fines which were on your account before lockdown will stay on your account but not prevent you from borrowing more books. Books taken out before lockdown have been automatically extended, so there are no overdue fines being charged. Unfortunately, we cannot rent out DVDs at the moment due to the issue of handling cash.

We know that some people are using BorrowBox while unable to get out. BorrowBox is a provider of e-books and e-audiobooks which can be accessed by users of Pembrokeshire Libraries. There are two main ways to access the site. If you are using a desktop or laptop computer then go to the Pembrokeshire County Council website, then look under the Resident’s menu for Libraries and Culture and scroll down to 24/7 e-library and click on the orange button marked Read More. This will take you to a menu and clicking on the link for ebooks and eAudioBooks will take you to Bolinda Borrowbox.

Alternatively, if you use an iPad or tablet computer then go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and install the BorrowBox for Libraries app instead of going through the Council website.

With Borrowbox you sign in with your library card number and your pincode is the last four digits of your card number. Once you are in you can browse the site to see what appeals. On Borrowbox you can search by title or author, or view books by category. You can see a preview of your selection without committing yourself, and once you have made your choice you can either borrow it immediately if it is available, or click on the orange Reserve button to go on the wait list. The system will tell you when the item will be available, and you are allowed to borrow or reserve 10 items in total. Follow the on-screen instructions for downloading, and enjoy reading or listening to your book. The loans are for 3 weeks and will automatically delete at the end of the loan period, or you can delete them yourself when finished.

As mentioned last month, our phone number is now 01437 775151 – the old number (01834 843934) is no longer in use. Our current number looks like a Haverfordwest number but is a direct line to the library counter, and so will only be answered in library hours.

For more information, please call Tenby Library on 01437 775151 or email [email protected]