Staffordshire County Council services will continue to support the community during lockdown.
Household waste recycling centres, children’s centres, libraries and country parks are among those services still operating.
Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “We continue to do all we can to help our businesses and communities during this difficult time.
“But above all we ask that people follow the government guidance and think of protecting family, friends, colleagues and community to support the NHS.”
Staffordshire’s children centres will continue to open their doors for childcare and medical appointments.
Household waste recycling centres across the county will still operate under the same restrictions as in recent months, with social distancing in force and visitors expected to wear masks and gloves.
Staff cannot help users carry heavy objects and given the reduced number of people that can be on site at any time, the advice remains to postpone your visit if possible. Full advice is available here.
From today (6th Jan) libraries in Burton, Cannock, Leek, Lichfield, Newcastle, Perton, Stafford and Tamworth will remain open for essential PC use and the click & collect and Grab & Go services. Opening times at those libraries will be 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
There will be temporary closures at Biddulph, Burntwood, Codsall, Kidsgrove, Rugeley, Stone, Uttoxeter and Wombourne libraries. Many Community Managed Libraries will offer a service and users should check directly with them, however mobile libraries will not be on the road during lockdown.
All library loans will automatically be extended until libraries reopen and no-one will face fines for late returns.
Recently the county council invested further in its eBooks service, resulting in an 80 per cent increase in stock.
Existing library members can download the BorrowBox app or visit its website atwww.borrowbox.com and use their membership number and PIN to access what’s on offer. New members can register online by going to www.staffordshire.gov.uksearch ‘join library’ and follow the instructions, but are asked to be patient if many people are trying to enrol at the same time.
More information about the library service can be found here.
Council-owned country parks also remain open for people to exercise, although visitors are reminded to observe social distancing and park considerately. Toilets will remain open, subject to contractor availability.
Staffordshire Record Office also remains available online. If anyone has an urgent inquiry they can contactstaffordshire.record.office@staffordshire.gov.uk .
Alternative access to some collections is available by:
- Using Staffordshire Past Track to explore photographs, images, maps and documents http://www.staffspasttrack.org.uk/
- Accessing Staffordshire parish registers, wills, and marriage bonds on Find My Past: https://www.findmypast.co.uk/articles/world-records/search-all-uk-records/special-collections/the-staffordshire-and-diocese-of-lichfield-collections
- Exploring free indexes for family history on the Staffordshire Name Indexes site:https://www.staffsnameindexes.org.uk/
Finally, Registration offices continue to operate as before, with people allowed to visit in the offices for birth registrations and to give notice of marriage. More details can be foundhere.
