Whitchurch Library, recently closed amid safety concerns, has established a new Ready Reads service to continue providing books to its users.

The service is a response to the library's temporary closure following the discovery of RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) in the roof beams.

Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for culture and digital, said they don’t want the library customers to ‘miss out’.

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He added: “We don’t want our library customers to miss out on the delight of settling down with a good book.

“The Ready Reads service means customers can share their areas of interest or preferences for certain genres and have books provided to them.

“In addition, our excellent and knowledgeable team will be able to make recommendations.”

Library staff will take requests for books when they are at the town’s market on Fridays, and readers will be able to collect their choices from Whitchurch Heritage Centre, which has partnered with the library to support the service.

Requests can also be made online, and the service begins from Tuesday, December 12.

Mr Macey continued: “The request service will be operational from home in the usual way and there will be no charge for this service while we operate in this way.

“We fully understand people’s frustration with the closure, but we hope that Ready Reads will help customers while the library building is closed, and until we can find an alternative site that will be suitable for the full service to resume.”


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Customers wanting to request books can do so at the library stall in the market hall on Fridays from 9am to midday, or online at www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/find-a-library/whitchurch-library/ 

Items may also be returned at the stall.

Books will be available for collection from Whitchurch Heritage Centre on Tuesday, December 12, Thursday, December 14, Tuesday, December 19, Tuesday, January 9, 2024 and Thursday, January 11 2024, between 10am and 3pm.