Hello Swindonians.
Well, it’s been a while since you’ve been able to access the shop and information desk in the central library on Regent Circus. That sad state of affairs is, of course, thanks to us being in the grip of a pandemic.
But lo! I bring you tidings of great joy. No – a son isn’t born unto us but we do now have a Covid compliant library shop.
The current arrangements
The library is not physically open. BUT – from 18th August they’ll have a Shop, Select & Collect service. That lets you browse their stock via their Instagram feed here or their blog here: here https://libraryshop.wordpress.com/
You can then email askthelibrary@swindon.gov.uk with your telephone number and someone will call you back to take your order and payment. Then you can collect what you’ve bought from the library during their opening times.
Caveat Emptor: There’s no walk in access. You can collect your books/purchases from the foyer where staff will put them ready for you.
For more info on the phased re-opening of the library go here: https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20026/libraries/1132/covid-19_-_reopening_our_libraries
So it’s not ideal no. No one is pretending it is. But it’s something. And it does mean you now have the means to support the shop in buying gifts and books from them.
Dona Bradley and Simon Webb are among those with fabulous gift products on sale in the Covid-compliant library shop. Not to mention of course, dozens of fabulous books. Yes – those I’ve written. To pretend otherwise is daft. But lots more besides.
Early in lockdown I wrote a couple of posts highlighting a range of books to read over the summer. So here’s a recap of those:
5 Swindon Books to Read Now – or whenever:
And … drum roll please …. 5 More Swindon Books to read – or just as soon as you can:
Every single book I’ve mentioned in those posts are great. But one if my fave reads of this summer had to be the one below. I blooming loved this:
