A Sheffield City Council spokesperson said: “There is no longer a limit on the number of customers who can enter our buildings at any one time and you can now stay in our libraries for as long as you want, within our current opening times.
“Public toilets are also now open and tables and chairs are back in place so that you can use your library as a study space. Soft seating is being reintroduced.
“We will be increasing the number of computers in our libraries where possible so that social distancing is still maintained. The one hour time period per day will remain to give more customers the opportunity to book a session. Our Order and Collect service is still available for those customers who prefer to collect their books on the go.
“We’re accepting cash payments again too, so if you have outstanding charges on your library account, you can pay these off now. No new fines for the late return of books will be applied until 31st December 2021, although we have returned to informing you if your books are overdue. During Covid, we were offering free printing or copying but the normal charges now apply.
“While we are trying to get back to a more normal service, we are also mindful that the pandemic is still with us so we are still providing hand sanitiser and wipes and encouraging our customers to wear a face mask. Staff will be wearing face coverings and may serve you from behind the Perspex screens because they are socially distancing. Anyone who has Covid symptoms should stay at home and book a test.”
Councillor Alison Teal, executive member for Neighbourhoods, Wellbeing, Parks and Leisure at Sheffield City Council, said: “Our libraries staff are looking forward to meeting their regular and new customers, and promoting all that the Libraries, Archives and Information Service has to offer.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for their patience during the last 18 months. Our staff have worked hard to remove most of the restrictions to get us nearer to business as usual. We are phasing in the return of regular activities and events, although some of them will remain online for now.”
