Most libraries in Powys will be allowing visitors to browse the shelves following the easing of national coronavirus restrictions.

Visitors to Y Gaer (Brecon), Builth, Hay, Ystradgynlais, Llandrindod, Newtown, Y Lanfa (Welshpool), Machynlleth, Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Llanfair Caereinion, Rhayader and Knighton libraries will be allowed to browse and select books with an appointment or managed queues in place, where staffing levels and space allows, from Monday, March 29.

Powys County Council has also announced that a whole raft of volunteers and voluntary organisations will be making doorstep deliveries for people who cannot get their order and collect book-bags for themselves.

Nina Davies, Head of Housing and Community Development, said: “We will continue to provide residents with a wide range of free online library resources around the clock, and this will be complimented by our very popular order and collect service, computer bookings and book browsing by appointment.

"We have to make sure our libraries are Covid safe and so we are offering these services where possible from March 29."

Other library services on offer include essential computer use and council transactions. These will be undertaken at Y Gaer (Brecon ), Builth, Hay, Knighton, Llandrindod, Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Newtown, Presteigne, Rhayader, Y Lanfa (Welshpool) and Ystradgynlais libraries.

Order and collect book-bags can continue to be collected from libraries and community locations, including Y Gaer (Brecon); Builth Library; Crickhowell Library; Hay-on-Wye Library; Knighton Library; Llanbadarn Fynydd Community Shop; Llandrindod Library; Llanfair Caereinion Library; Llanfyllin Library; Llanidloes Library; Machynlleth Library; Newtown Library; Presteigne Library; Rhayader Library; Talgarth Library; Y Lanfa (Welshpool); and Ystradgynlais Library.

Borrowbox e-books, e-audio downloads and Emagazines continue to be available online for free. Other online resources such Ancestry.com are also available, and the free access has been extended until the end of June.

To join a library, fill in an online form here.