The Minister for Digital and Culture, Caroline Dinenage MP heard how the library service had received national recognition for its online activities during lockdown. Access to e-books and audio has seen a 156 per cent increase on last year as residents turned to online resources whilst at home. More than 70 library staff were redeployed to help support vulnerable residents through BCP Council’s Together We Can community response work and the popular home library service was restarted for existing and new clients as a doorstep delivery service.

Cllr Vikki Slade, acting portfolio holder for Tourism, Leisure and Communities, said, “We are really proud of our library service, which for many residents is a lifeline within their community. It was essential that local people could access services online during lockdown and then safely reopen all 24 libraries across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, in a phased approach during the summer.

“Our priority is to further develop our libraries to become the centre point of our communities where local residents can easily access a range of services and be supported to engage with digital information.”