Norwich Castle Museum – photo © Julian Swainson

18 March 2020

Norfolk’s Council-run museums will close and mobile libraries will stop running from tomorrow (Thursday) as part of the County Council’s ongoing response to coronavirus.

With the Government advising people to avoid group contact, the County Council has decided to shut the museums and cancel mobile libraries, until further notice. Weddings will continue to take place at Norwich castle until Saturday and subsequent ones will be postponed.

However, it is keeping library buildings open at the moment, in recognition that they are vital community hubs.

Council leader Councillor Andrew Proctor said: “We are taking positive action with partners to keep key services like social care running, while taking heed of Government advice regarding larger venues like museums.

“We have business continuity plans in place and are reviewing the situation every day and making decisions accordingly.”

The museums service is planning to launch a new digital offer, to bring the Norfolk Museums Service directly into people’s homes.

In another development, the Council has amended its library rules, to help people who may be self-isolating:

  • Amount of books you can borrow increasing to 45
  • Items will be automatically renewed until further notice and books to be kept at home
  • Existing overdue charges on accounts won’t increase over time
  • Plan to livestream and video Storytime and Baby Bounce and Rhyme sessions each week on Facebook