Hadleigh library is among a number of branches across Suffolk that will partially reopen next week.

The library on the High Street after being closed for six weeks due to the current lockdown but with infection rates now much lower in the county, Suffolk Libraries has decided that from Tuesday, February 16 the Select and Collect service and reservations will resume so that people can request and pick up items from Hadleigh library.

A Suffolk Libraries spokesman said: "We'd like to reassure customers that there will be no rush to bring items back as the return date for current loans has been extended until 1 March. All new library loans from next week will be given an extended six-week return date.

"Browsing inside libraries and the use of computers will remain unavailable for the time being. The mobile library services and home library service will also remain suspended for now."

During the lockdown libraries have been successfully encouraging their users to go to their online platform. The highest ever number of online applications to join the library service were recorded during January with nearly 600 people signing up for a library card.

There have also been record figures for eLibrary borrowing over the first month of the year. Nearly 3,300 people used the Overdrive eBook service during the week of January 25, downloading over 8,000 books. These weekly figures have doubled since March 2020 and have been rising since Christmas.

It was a record week for the BorrowBox eAudiobook service too with more than 1,000 customers downloading more than 1,600 titles. The number of people using the Pressreader online newspaper and magazine service has also been increasing since Christmas.

Hadleigh library opening hours

Tuesday: 0930 - 1300, 1430 - 1630

Thursday: 0930 - 1300, 1430 - 1630

Saturday: 0930 - 1300, 1430 - 1630

Out-of-hours book return available