LIBRARIES will be reopening across the borough from Monday, enabling readers to borrow a bundle of up to six books.

There will be containers outside libraries for people to drop off borrowed books, including those borrowed before lockdown.

All the books will be quarantined for 72 hours before going back into circulation.

People can contact the library beforehand via phone or email to make their requests.

Collections and returns will be available from Central Library from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.

Breightmet, Farnworth, Harwood, Horwich and Westhoughton libraries will run the services from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

These services will be available at other libraries across the borough at a later date.

There will be strict social distancing and hygiene measures put in place to ensure staff and the public remain safe.

From Monday, July 13, people will be able to browse books and access public computers.

Bolton Museum will also be accepting limited visitor numbers from Tuesday, July 14.

Following this, the council will look at how services can be reintroduced at other libraries, as well as reopening the aquarium and historic halls.

Cllr Hilary Fairclough, cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said: “This is a welcome first step towards reopening the libraries that provide a vital lifeline for so many in our community.

“Social distancing and other safety precautions will be closely monitored, and a thorough assessment will take place before other services are reopened.

“All being well, I look forward to the reopening of Bolton Museum, which has a significant role to play in our economic recovery by bringing visitors into the town.”