Although several of Shellharbour City's libraries are set to re-open this week, it will be a different lending experience than before due to the current pandemic.
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For instance, libraries will be quarantining returned items for 24 hours.
Social distancing and hygiene measures will be implemented, including hand sanitisers at the entry to libraries and in key locations.
There will also be customer limits in place, with 30 people maximum at each library at any one time.
The state government recently announced that libraries, museums and galleries can re-open from Monday, June 1 with strict COVID-19 measures in place.
"We'll have a lot of signage around, reminding people about social distancing, and about personal hygiene," Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said.
"A lot of our programs won't be operational until such time as the restrictions are basically removed. But they will be able to bring their returns to the return chute, and come in and self-checkout books and items."
Shellharbour City Council re-opened the library chutes at City and Warilla libraries last week to encourage customers to return their items.
According to council, there will be a phased approach to ensure they provide safe library and museum services.
Some of the new measures of step one include:
*City Library, City Museum, Warilla Library and Albion Park Library will re-open on Monday, June 1.
*There will be reduced hours of operation - Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm at each of these libraries.
*Limited weekend hours; initially 9am-12pm Saturdays at City Library only. Closed Sundays.
*Oak Flats Library will remain closed due to refurbishment works. Shellharbour Village will remain closed due to the size of library and complying with social distancing.
*There will be an hour every Wednesday (from 9am-10am) dedicated to over 70's, people with disability and vulnerable community members.
*Introduction of a click-and-collect style service (using the reservation/hold service) via the Shellharbour City libraries' website.
*Bookings are essential to visit the museum and are limited to five people at a time.
*Home Library Service will re-commence from June 11 and existing customers will be advised of their delivery dates across June.
Staff will review step one of this recovery after two weeks to evaluate when they can re-introduce other library services.
Council's manager of libraries and museum Margie Kirkness said they had been putting measures in place within the libraries, including rearranging furniture and shelving to have people spaced appropriately, and getting new books in stock.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
