It’s great news that public libraries have been included in ‘Step 2 Easing Restrictions ‘ from the Victorian Government.
Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our staff, visitors, as well as the broader community as we deliver you a phased re-introduction of library services from June 1st.
Step 1 will include ‘click and collect’ bookings for holds from June 1st to June 19th. We will be introducing Step 2 from June 22nd.
We’ve included an infographic of the steps here and details are below. (Click on the image to see a larger version)
Step 1 of our phased re-introduction to library services from June 1st will provide a click & collect booking service from all library locations including: Warragul, Drouin, Foster, Inverloch, Korumburra, Leongatha, Mirboo North, Neerim South, Phillip Island, Poowong, Wonthaggi, Welshpool, Waterline (Grantville) and San Remo.
The Northern Mobile Library will not be back on the road for Step 1: Click & Collect. The Northern Mobile Library will be back up and running for Step 1 on Monday 15th June, we apologise for the slight delay caused from the scheduled repair work.
For the health and wellbeing of our staff and visitors, we ask that you ensure you make a booking to collect any items from the library during Step 1 of our phased re-introduction of library services. Bookings can be made online via the links below or you can call your branch to make a booking.
To access Click & Collect, all you need to do is place your holds by calling your branch or place your holds online and select the branch you want to pick your items up from as normal. Once the items are available, you will be notified by email or SMS that they are ready to be picked up!
Select your branch from the links below to book a click and collect time online, you can also call your branch to make a booking. Click and collect bookings are between branch opening hours, weekdays.
We ask that you arrive promptly at the library, please follow directional signage, maintain hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres and if you are not well, please stay at home.
If you miss your delivery window or can’t attend, please call your branch to reschedule.
During Step 1, borrowing of physical items is available for the entire West Gippsland Library collection. Items in our catalogue owned by other libraries in the Libraries Victoria consortium (formally know as Swift) and inter-library loans are currently not available until at least July 1st.
All due dates on all items have been automatically extended until 1st July 2020. From 1st June, you can return items to the branch external chutes.
No drop-off/pick-up locations are available in Step 1. 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.
Any current holds on items will be available to pick-up at the library with a click and collect booking. You will not have access to the library for self-checkout or to browse.
Return chutes at all library locations will be fully operational from June 1st and will be open 24 hours. Please remember that all due dates have been extended until 1st July. Remember we don’t charge overdue fines and you can also renew your items online. Live chat is available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm if you need assistance.
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.
Drop off and Pick up points at Corinella and Coronet Bay will not be operating in Step 1 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 1 as the returns cannot be safely quarantined at these locations. All items should be returned to your nearest physical branch.
All due dates on all items have been automatically extended until 1st July 2020 and 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.
In Step 1 of our phased re-introduction of library service will not include any public access to the library. Access to public PCs and meeting rooms during Step 1 is also not available. Members will only be able to access the library with book click and collect bookings to pick up holds at specific times and access Public Wi-Fi outside the library and mobile libraries during normal opening hours, following physical distancing of 1.5metres and following the current Victorian Government restrictions of external gatherings of no more than 20 people that will take effect from 11:59pm on 31 May.
24 hour access at Foster will not be available during Step 1.
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!
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. Our click and collect services offered in Step 1 will operate around these scheduled cleaning times. We appreciate your continued understanding, patience and support as we re-introduce library services and welcome you back.
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 1. Members can return items to the return chutes at your local branch during Step 1 of our phased re-introduction of library services. All due dates on all items have been automatically extended until 1st July 2020 and 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.
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.
If you need assistance with registering or using the apps, please contact your local branch.
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.
For up-to-date health information, please visit the Department of Health and Human Service’s website: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Thank you for your understanding. Take care, we look forward to welcoming you back again soon.