Bedford Central Library- Coronavirus update reopening for select and collect on Thursday 20th August

Borrow books with our new service

Bedford Borough Council are beginning the phased reopening of libraries from Thursday 20 August, with the launch of Select and Collect at Bedford Central and Kempston Libraries.

Select and Collect is a new service where library staff choose books for you based on guidance you give them, either using our online form, or by phoning and talking to a member of staff. The books are issued to you, and you are notified when they are ready for you to collect them from our library entrances during Select and Collect opening hours. Please remember that you must wear a face covering when visiting a library, unless you have a legitimate reason not to.

You will also be able to request books using our request service, where you choose specific titles through Arena, our online catalogue, or the Bedford Borough Libraries app, and then pick them up from Bedford Central or Kempston Library. This is perfect if you know the exact title you’re after and would like to request it yourself.

When books are returned to us, they are quarantined for 72 hours. We have new procedures for when we select, issue and pack books for you too. As an extra precaution, you may choose to leave them in their paper bag for three days once you get home.

Learn more about how the service will work by visiting the Virtual Library or by calling the Select and Collect Line on 01234 718178, which is open Monday to Saturday from 11.00am to 4.00pm.

You can also return your books to Bedford Central and Kempston Libraries from the 20th August. Just drop them into the Returns Box at the library entrance during Select and Collect opening hours.

Select and Collect Opening Hours:

Bedford Central Library

Monday to Friday:        11.00am – 1.00pm

Saturday:                     10.00am – 1.00pm 

Kempston Library

Tuesday & Thursday:  10.00am – 12.30pm

Saturday:                     9.30am – 12.30pm  

Please be aware that this is the first phase of the reopening of libraries and that Select and Collect, requests and the Home Library Service (below) are currently the only services available. We are keeping things under continual review and will reintroduce other services when it is possible to do so safely for both customers and staff. Please check the Virtual Library and our Facebook page for further updates.