Falkirk area lockdown community library service proving popular

Larbert Library assistant Lisa Duncan has been providing her social distancing-compliant service in Falkirk district to help relieve feelings of loneliness and low mental health during lockdown by enabling residents to immerse themselves in a book.

Lisa has been able to hand out texts from Larbert Library, as well as donations, after she joined forces with volunteers from a community help hotline set up by her hometown football club.

Harnessing the power of social media, Lisa began promoting her delivery-only initiative via her Facebook page and Stenhousemuir FC’s online platforms.

Lisa has also been allowed to use a changing room at Ochilview Park as a makeshift library. From there, volunteers distribute orders in adherence with Covid-19 government guidelines twice a week.

Initially targeted at vulnerable adults, the operation has expanded and now caters for children across the entire Falkirk area.

Using her library training, Lisa has devised a system to manage the service and has set up a database of items borrowed from Larbert Library.

Books are kept in a safe storage space for 72 hours prior to delivery to ensure any traces of the virus do not survive, with volunteers wearing disposable gloves at all times.

All returns are also segregated for 72 hours before being re-shelved in the library.

Lisa said: “It continues to be a lot of work but it is very worthwhile to ease the hardship and loneliness people are going through.

“Hopefully the service brings a smile to my customers’ faces, a time of relaxation and the ability to travel to another destination through a well-written story.”

To request a book and to register details, contact Stenny’s community help hotline – open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm – on 01324 466563.