Local Libraries Reopen their Doors

All three of Coffs Harbour City Council’s libraries will reopen to the community on Monday, 29 June, as part of a staged process to ensure ongoing COVID-19 restrictions are followed.

“Our branches have been providing a ‘Select and Collect’ service that has allowed people to collect their items from a pick-up station outside each branch since 1 June, but we’re delighted to be able to reopen our doors to customers on 29 June. So now is the time to dig our your library card,” said Roslyn Cousins, Council’s Library, Museum, Gallery and Cultural Services Team Leader.

From Monday, 29 June, library customers will be able to collect reserved library items, browse the shelves, use the self-check kiosks, use the PCs for 30 minutes each session and join the library. The temporary ‘Select and Collect’ service will finish operating on Saturday, 27 June. The library’s popular online resources and programs will also continue until face-to-face programs can be restarted.

The operating hours will be:

Toormina and Woolgoolga Libraries:       10 am to 1 pm, Monday to Friday; Harry Bailey Memorial Library:                 10 am to 12 noon and 1pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday; and All branches:                                                10 am to noon, Saturday.

“These opening hours are shorter than normal to allow us to better manage the continued restrictions, which are in place for public and staff safety,” added Ms Cousins.

These restrictions include a limit of one person per four square metres, physical distancing, the quarantining of returned stock and the wiping of items with plastic covers with disinfectant. Council would also urge anyone who feels unwell to stay at home.

From Friday, 19 June, Council is also easing the restrictions for its community centres and halls. A number of rules still apply. These are:

Capacity must not exceed one person per four square metres including staff members; Classes or organised events must not have more than 20 participants (not including the persons conducting or assisting in the conduct of the class or event, or parents, guardians and carers of participants); Premises must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan; and All the usual social distancing and hygiene measures apply.

The local facilities covered by these changes are the Community Village meeting venues including the Cavanbah Centre and Seminar Hut, Toormina Community Centre, Lowanna Community Hall, Coramba Hall, Woolgoolga Community Hall, Eastern Dorrigo Community Hall (Ulong) and Lower Bucca Community Hall.

The Jetty Memorial Theatre remains closed for the time being.

For information about changes to Council services and facilities, visit our Coronavirus Update web page. Council will continue to monitor advice from the NSW and Federal Health Departments and will keep the community updated with all changes to our operations.