You can still get your favourite books while exciting changes take shape

Work on the new Zone – which will be on the ground floor – is expected to take several months and will include a new technology area, space to support community groups offering a range of different activities, plus the Support Hub.

Community Hub Central is currently closed to the public and while the work is being carried out its ‘Click and Collect’ service has had to be temporarily suspended.

However, there are still lots of ways people can get hold of their favourite book, get online to help with a job search or research their family history.

The Seaton Carew and Community Hub South libraries have computer access and people can email infodesk@hartlepool.gov.uk with their family and local history enquiries.

For library users who are not able to visit a branch library, the ‘Click and Collect’ service is being expanded - for the next few months it will be available from the Mobile Community Hub at a number of community locations during the week as follows:

Mondays                    -           The Parade, near Ward Jackson Park, 10am-12 noon  

Tuesdays                   -           Throston Library, Glamorgan Grove, 10am-12noon  

Wednesdays             -            Headland Library, Middlegate, 10am-12 noon

Thursdays                 -           Throston Library, Glamorgan Grove, 10am-12 noon

Fridays                       -           Headland Library, Middlegate, 10am-12 noon

This will complement the services available at Seaton Carew Library in Station Lane and Community Hub South library in Wynyard Road, where people can browse and borrow books as well as using the ‘Click and Collect’ service. These two libraries are open as follows:

Seaton Carew Library                     -           Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10am–3pm and Saturdays 10am-12 noon.

Community Hub South library         -           Mondays 12 noon-3pm, Tuesdays to Fridays 10am-3pm and Saturdays 10am-12pm.

Library users are also encouraged to take advantage of two digital services - BorrowBox and RBDigital - which are both available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

BorrowBox enables library users to borrow four eBooks and up to five eAudio books for a maximum of four weeks, while RBDigital offers up to eight eAudio books for up to four weeks.

Both these services are free to use and all people need is a valid library card and a smart phone or tablet.

The registration process is simple – library members just need to download the BorrowBox or RBDigital app, choose Hartlepool Libraries and enter their details for immediate access to an extensive collection of titles.

Anyone who needs to access a computer to help with job applications, apply for benefits, find new opportunities and remain socially included can take advantage of a number of ‘Peoples Network’ computers at Seaton Carew Library and Community Hub South.

To book access to a computer please click here or call 01429 272631.