Our @SoTLibraries began a new chapter today. Turned a page! And what a tale it is... so lend us your ear (seriously, we can do these puns all day). Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin - and we’ll meet #TheHobbit , #MrDarcy and #CaptainUnderpants on the way (thread)

As you'll know, we had to temporarily close libraries because of the pandemic. But today - much like a good @agathachristie - this story has an exciting twist (told you ). That's because we've launched a new Click, Call and Collect service at Tunstall and Longton libraries

This is just the prologue - as we take the first careful steps towards bringing customers back to all six @SoTLibraries . We know, like any avid reader, you’ll come with us on this journey – hopefully with the same enthusiasm as #TheHobbit Bilbo leaving the Shire here…

Now, like @chuckpalahniuk ‘s #FightClub , we have some rules. The first rule of Click, Call and Collect is you don’t talk… no, the first rule is you’ve got to go online, email or call us to choose your books in advance. We'll then contact you to give you a time slot to collect

We miss you and want you browsing @SotLibraries shelves as soon as it’s safe. This is just a temporary measure so you can still enjoy our service. As Arnold Bennett said: “Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.” @BennettSoc

To ensure things are as safe as possible, we’ll follow government guidelines and make collections ‘contact free’. Returned books will also be quarantined for 72 hours – and we won’t allow any @StephenKing Shawshank Redemption-style escapees until the books have done their time.

Now there are lots of good returns in literature - #TheReturnOfTheKing , #TheReturnOfSherlockHolmes , #CaptainUnderpantsAndTheTerrifyingReturnOfTippyTinkletrousers – and from today you can return books to Tunstall Library, and at boxes outside City Central and Longton libraries

Oh, and did we tell you that while libraries are closed, we’ve suspended overdue fines? And that will carry on while libraries are reopening? Well, we have and it will. So don’t start getting all White Rabbit on us and worrying about being late if you can’t bring back books.

More good news? Go on then. We’ll be announcing plans to add extra services/reopen @SotLibraries sites fully as soon as possible – when it’s safe to do so. As Leo Tolstoy once wrote: “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”

So you see, there's a happy ending. Think @Bridget_Jones or #PrideandPrejudice - and Click, Call and Collect is our dashing Mr Darcy (not the rude one at the beginning, the kind one at the end!). And we've got plans to ensure this great romance continues – so watch this space

For now, check out @SoTLibraries ' Click, Call and Collect at Longton and Tunstall. Go online at https://www.stoke.gov.uk/libraries  and choose Click, Call and Collect. Longton: 01782 238424 or email [email protected]. Tunstall: 01782 238471 or email [email protected]

And finally, @SoTLibraries also has an amazing array of online resources including e-books, e-audiobooks and e-magazines (14,182 downloads of these during lockdown !), as well as Singing Bears and Story Bears videos, Lego challenges and more. Visit http://www.stoke.gov.uk/libraries 

Told you it was an interesting tale #MyStokeStory

#StokeonTrent #LibrariesFromHome #LoveLibraries #Libraries #LibrariesUK #Reading #ReadingRecommendations