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Dear Volunteer,
Christmas is probably a distant memory but we hope it was a good one for you and we wish you a belated Happy New Year!
We hope you've had an opportunity to catch up with all our news in the latest customer newsletter.
You may have noticed that our Remote Digital Service has resumed following its break over Christmas. If you or your family or friends received a new device for Christmas, basic support from our amazing volunteers is free and by appointment only.
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As we're sure you are aware the government has announced that the measures put in place under plan B in England will be lifted on 27 January.
The latest government advice is to
‘continue to follow safer behaviours to protect yourself and others, wear a face covering in most indoor public places and on public transport and let fresh air in if you meet indoors.’
This is advice that we have already been following and we will continue to do so, as well as ensuring availability of hand sanitiser, asking people to give ample personal space etc.
It is recommended that Library staff and volunteers continue to wear face masks in our libraries unless they are exempt. Over the coming weeks you may see a change in some of our practices as we continue to move towards a more business as usual model as highlighted in the November Volunteer newsletter:
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Library teams have been having lots of conversations over recent weeks and we've received feedback from customers and some staff about how library services now feel quite different to other services in the local community. We know that our group activities are operating differently to similar activities and events in schools, community centres and other venues, and our customers are telling us this.
Throughout the different stages of the pandemic we have had to adapt and change our approach to respond to the different conditions we have found ourselves in. Sometimes there have been regulations for us to comply with, but more often we have had to make judgements based on risk assessments and guidance.
We now have plans for taking the next steps to help us move closer to ‘business as usual’, so our services feel more like those operating around us in our communities and so we can meet the needs of our customers. This will be a gradual process and will commence over the coming weeks.
Do get in touch with your local contact or ask the next time you are in the library to find out more.
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It has been wonderful to see those of you that have returned to your roles back in libraries. I know how much you are appreciated by the whole Library Team.
With the move to a more business as usual model over coming weeks we hope to be resuming the remaining volunteer roles soon.
For those of you who have not yet returned, we look forward to welcoming you back in the near future, if you feel ready to do so. If you don't feel ready to return, or your circumstances have changed, this is absolutely fine too.
Do feel free to get in touch with your local contact or do drop me a line.
Jo Moeller - Principal Librarian Volunteering.
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This month all front line staff will be completing the mandatory Age Restricted DVD training.
Please do read the information below:
Age Restricted DVDs
As a rental outlet for DVDs libraries are required to comply with the Video Recordings Act 1984 and the Video Recordings (Labelling) Regulations 1985 (and subsequent amendments). The supply of age-restricted video games titles to a person below the specified age is a criminal offence and breach of that law can result in the member of staff and/or the company being prosecuted.
Practical
Libraries display notices listing the Age-Restricted categories.
Membership categories are configured in line with the law so it is not possible for a child to borrow any age-restricted DVD using their own membership card. The Video Standards Council categories are as follows:
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 18 rated DVDs cannot be borrowed without staff intervention. This usually means they are either kept on closed access or in security cases.
All age-restricted DVDs not kept on closed access or in security cases are marked with a distinctive flash making it easy for staff to see when one of these items is being borrowed.
Staff are trained on the importance of vigilance around self-service machines to ensure that children/teenagers do not borrow age-restricted items on an adult’s card.
Please speak to a member of staff if you have any concerns or questions about age restricted categories.
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You have received this email because you are registered as a volunteer with West Sussex Library Service. If you have any feedback or no longer wish to receive the Library Volunteer Newsletter please email us.
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