Service Update

Update 28 July, 2020

As of 11:59pm on Sunday 2nd August, face masks or coverings are a mandatory requirement for all Victorians while outside their homes, so we’ll be wearing a face-covering in the library at all times and we ask that you do too.

Our libraries are remaining open as we are not currently affected by the recent Stage 3 restrictions in place from 11:59pm, 8 July. Any library members who live in metro Melbourne or Mitchell Shire are asked to follow the Victorian Government Stay at Home directives and will not be allowed to visit the library while these restrictions remain in place for the next 6 weeks. For more information please visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-victoria

On arrival at the library, you will be asked to provide proof of residence by showing your photo id, like a driver licence that states your current principal residence, so please be prepared. You will be also asked to provide your full name and contact phone number, should contact tracing be necessary. Entry to the library is only permitted for patrons who permanently reside within our Council Shires. We appreciate your understanding and compliance with the current Government directives to help keep our staff and communities safe.

We are introducing temperature testing of all patrons visiting the library. On arrival, you will be asked to present for a temperature check with a digital thermometer. If the reading is above 37.5 degrees you will not be permitted to enter the library.

From Monday 22nd June until further notice, we will be operating in Step 2 of our phased re-introduction to library services.

We’ve included an infographic of the steps here and details are below. (Click on the image to see a larger version)

Public Access

With the health and wellbeing of staff, patrons and the community our priority, there are some changes to how the library will operate which are outlined below.

A limited number of people will be allowed in each library at any one time and social distancing and strict hygiene rules apply at all times.

You will need a library membership to use the library services during Step 2. This is to assist with contact tracing should it be necessary, a requirement of reopening from the Victorian Government and DHHS.

Library branch visits are limited to 15 minutes for browsing, self-checkout, print-on-demand and photocopying, WiFi access and up to 1 hour to use public pc.

There are some items that will not be available including games and toys (e.g. puzzles, board games, lego), casual seating area, print newspapers.

Each branch will have a maximum number of people allowed at any one time. This may mean there might be a wait to get into the library, so please be patient.

Library opening hours have been changed to accommodate additional quarantine and cleaning requirements. This will include a closure during lunchtime and libraries will not be open on weekends. The branch hours have been updated on our locations page, click through to your branch for details.

We ask that you follow directional signage and staff advice, maintain hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres and if you are not well, please stay at home. Please be respectful of the rules in place and help keep everyone safe.

24-hour access at Foster will not be available during Step 2.

Print-on-demand & Photocopying

Print-on-demand and copy services will resume however, no cash payments will be accepted. An invoice will be emailed to you and payment can be made online via credit card. You will need to be a library member to access these services.

Borrowing from the Library

During Step 2, borrowing will continue of physical items with the entire West Gippsland Library collection available. Items in our catalogue owned by other libraries in the Libraries Victoria consortium (formally known as Swift) and inter-library loans will remain suspended until further notice.

Click and collect bookings are no longer required to pick-up holds from library branches (but will continue on the Mobile Library and San Remo). You will be directed to use self-checkout where available and you can access the library to browse for up to 15 minutes.

We continue to ask you to return items to the branch external chutes or as directed by staff.

No drop-off/pick-up locations are available in Step 2. Remember we don’t charge overdue fines and you can renew items online if you are able. You can also contact your local branch directly by phone for assistance.

Returns

Returns can be left in the returns chute or nominated area within the library. Please ask a staff member for direction.

Remember we don’t charge overdue fines and you can also renew your items online. Live chat is available Mon-Fri if you need assistance, please see contact page for details.

As part of the current guidelines from the Chief Health Officer, all returned items will undergo a quarantine procedure for 72 hours before being returned to shelves for re-borrowing. Please allow this processing time (up to 3 business days) for your returns to be removed from your account.

Click & Collect Bookings

Click and collect bookings are no longer required to pick up your holds at branches. You can access a branch any time during opening hours, please see updated hours to accommodate additional COVID-19 quarantine and cleaning requirements on our location pages.

The Northern Mobile Library no longer requires Click & Collect bookings to pick up holds.

The mobile library at San Remo no longer requires Click & Collect bookings to pick up holds.

Northern Mobile Library & San Remo

When you arrive at the Mobile Library, a desk will be positioned outside the library at the base of the stairs where library staff will assist you. You may need to form a queue so we ask that you maintain physical distance of at least 1.5 metres at all times. Entry to the library for browsing is not currently permitted during our step 2 as physical distancing cannot be safely maintained.

Drop off & Pick up locations

Drop off and Pick up points at Corinella and Coronet Bay will not be operating in Step 2 as the returns cannot be safely quarantined at these locations. Items can be returned to the Grantville library, 24-hour access returns chute.

The Northern Mobile drop off and pick up points at Hazcon Office in Trafalgar, the Post Office in Yarragon, Rawson, Thorpdale, Erica, Willow Grove and the Nyora General Store will not be operating in Step 2 as the returns cannot be safely quarantined at these locations. All items should be returned to your nearest physical branch.

You can renew items online if you are able and you can also contact your local branch directly by phone for assistance.

Programs and Events

Library programming, live events and most outreach services remain suspended until further notice. However, we will continue our range of virtual events and programs that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home!

View our online events

Cleaning

The library will maintain a regular cleaning schedule throughout the day and at the end of each day. This may mean that the library needs to close during the middle of the day and close earlier than usual to maintain the high level of cleaning requirement as recommended by the Chief Medical Officer to keep our staff and visitors safe. We appreciate your continued understanding, patience and support as we re-introduce library services and welcome you back.

Home Delivery Service

Our Home Delivery Service via Australia Post is still available for our vulnerable members within our area, who don’t have access to the internet and can’t access our e-resources. We will continue to offer this service to all members who are not able to access our click and collect service during Step 2. Members can return items to the return chutes at your local branch during Step 2 of our phased re-introduction of library services. Remember, we don’t charge overdue fines, you can renew items online if you are able and you can also contact your local branch directly by phone for assistance.

About Home Delivery Service

Digital Resources

All our digital resources continue to be available to library members while the library branches are re-introducing our library services. We have a wide range of ebooks, eaudiobooks, emagazines, digital newspapers, kid’s activities, kid’s reading resources, streaming movies and documentaries and even online study courses. Our team are working on adding new e-resources.

You can get access to our digital library online, anytime or download our app.

View our E-resources

Download App on Apple

Download App on Android

Not a member? Join online >

If you need assistance with registering or using the apps, please contact your local branch.

Stay up-to-date

Information about plans to reopen or any other changes that arise will be published on our website, in our e-newsletters and on our social media channels.