Rutland's network of libraries, Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle will return to longer opening hours from Monday 19 July, following the easing of most national COVID-19 restrictions.

From next week, Oakham Library will return to opening 44 hours a week, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. This represents a substantial increase from the 12 hours a week in place since stringent COVID safety measures were introduced in November.

Branch libraries in Uppingham, Ketton and Ryhall, as well as Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle, will also enjoy longer opening hours. A Library Home Delivery Service will continue to operate in place of Rutland's previous Mobile Library. This means that free online and home delivery services are still available to any registered members who are unable to visit libraries in person.

Coun Lucy Stephenson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure,, said: "We are delighted to be able to get our libraries, museum and castle back to longer opening hours, following the end of most national COVID restrictions.

"It's important that we do this with the safety of staff and service users in mind, so will be asking visitors to be respectful of the new guidelines.

"Please wear face coverings in crowded places, continue to wash and sanitise your hands regularly and stay home and get a test if you have any COVID symptoms. We've waited a long time to return to some kind of normality but we must continue to take care and follow precautions."

For more information about these services, please visit: www.rutland.gov.uk/libraries or ring Oakham Library on 01572 722918, email [email protected]

For information about changes to other Rutland County Council services following the lifting of nation COVID restrictions, please visit: www.rutland.gov.uk.

The customer service desk at the Council's Catmose offices in Oakham remains closed to members of the public while it is being used as Rutland's COVID-19 vaccination centre.