Two more library branches will re-open this week as Libraries ACT return more services for the community.
“Library branches and return chutes will re-open from Wednesday 3 November 2021 at Dickson and from Thursday 4 November 2021 at Kingston to provide library users opportunities to visit and keep connected with the community,” Vanessa Little, Libraries ACT Executive Branch Manager said.
“These two branches will re-open on an interim schedule. They join Belconnen, Gungahlin and Tuggeranong library branches which re-opened last month on reduced hours.”
Dickson library opening hours
- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 am – 5.30 pm
- Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
- Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm
- Closed Monday and Tuesday
Kingston library opening hours
- Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 am – 5.30 pm
- Closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday
In order to protect staff and visitors, physical distancing measures will be maintained and capacity limits will apply. A total of 25 people at a branch will be permitted before density limits apply of one person per four square metres. As the Kingston library is a smaller branch, numbers will be capped at 10, excluding staff.
Visits will be limited to 30 minutes, masks must be worn and visitors need to use the Check in CBR app on arrival. Library staff can assist anyone without a smartphone to check in. Community rooms will remain closed at this time.
Members who wish to use a computer can do so without making a booking, subject to computer availability.
Ms Little said Libraries ACT will look to re-open the remaining library branches in the near future and progressively extend the opening hours of branches which have been opened.
“Over the last few weeks we have begun re-opening in a staged way across the city taking into account a range of factors. These include the library staff who have had home schooling responsibilities, those who have been redeployed to help ACT Health, the Kippax library being used as a pop-up vaccination clinic and the need to put in place a range of measures to ensure we can open in a COVID-safe way,” Ms Little said.
“The staged re-opening and limited hours are to ensure library services without putting pressure on our workforce as well as manage the risk of needing to close a branch should one be linked to COVID-19.
“The Kippax Library is anticipated to re-open from Wednesday 17 November 2021. Woden Library is having the finishing touches to its upgrade and is expected to re-open from early December 2021.
“The dates for when the remaining library branches are to re-open will be advised once more details are confirmed.
“We thank library members for being patient with us as we look to re-open the remaining branches as soon as we can. We continue to see great take-up of our digital services as well,” Ms Little said.
Due dates on items borrowed on or before 12 August 2021 have been extended to 30 November 2021.
