LIBRARIES managed by Dorset Council will start a phased reopening this week.

A special order and collect service will start on Wednesday (July 8) for existing customers, but services at libraries – including Ferndown, Gillingham, Wareham, Wimborne, Blandford and Sherborne – will be expanded later in the month.

Initially, people will be able to order their preferred categories of books or other items to collect from 22 of the council's 23 libraries. Beaminster Library is unable to participate in the order and collection service because of the layout of the building.

All current loans that would have been due back in the lockdown period have been extended to the end of August and any overdue charges that might have been incurred have been waived.

Dorset Council community member Cllr Tony Alford said: "During lockdown, our library teams worked hard to minimise the disruption to customers by offering a range of fun and informative services via the internet.

“We saw a tremendous increase in new online subscribers during lockdown.

"However, I know many people missed the human interaction a visit to the library can give.

“Although libraries are going to look and feel very different as they re-open with limited services on offer, I am sure customers will be pleased to physically access their local library again and have a much-needed refresh of their reading material.

“The library teams are excited about returning to some normality too, although things will obviously be very different for a while."

Books will be available to order online at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries from July 8 by completing a short form about reading preferences.

For those without online access, an order can be made by phoning 01305 228400.

The service is available for all ages – for adults, young people and children. There will be a bag of up to 10 books and other items such as talking books or DVDs waiting for collection. These will be based on the type of books people normally select for themselves. The items can be borrowed for up to four weeks.

The collections and returns process will be contactless and pre-arranged timeslots mean the number of people visiting at any one time can be managed.

All books will be quarantined in line with national guidance.

A council spokesman said: "Later in July, further services will be available at nine Dorset libraries, in the north, east, south and west of the county.

"Initially, opening hours will be reduced and a limited number of visitors will be allowed in the buildings at any one time.

"There will be the opportunity for people to browse the books and reserve use of the public access computers.

"Activities and events, such as rhyme time and reading groups, which have been highly popular online during lockdown, will continue to be internet-based for the time being. The increased number of e-books and publications, including newspapers and magazines, will also continue to be available online."