Advice relating to COVID-19

Advice relating to COVID-19 and Libraries ACT

Updated Friday 13 November 2020

From Friday 13 November 2020 we're increasing the length of visits to the library, which can now be up to 2 hours (120 minutes) (increased from 60 minutes). Other measures remain the same.

Some services are still limited or changed so we can take precautions to protect the community and our staff, and meet mandated restrictions. Please continue to follow all these important conditions.

All changes being made comply with COVID-19 Public Health Directions, and physical distancing and other measures recommended by the ACT and Federal Health Departments.

Visiting the library

The number of people allowed in the library will increase slightly and visits to the library can be up to 2 hours (120 minutes) (increased from 60 minutes). This means it is even more important that we ask you to provide your first name and phone number for contact tracing purposes each time you enter the library. Returning visitors are asked to do this each time they enter as the time of your visit is required.

You will be asked to provide your first name and phone number each time you enter the library by:

• Downloading the Check-In CBR app to your phone or other smart device and scanning the unique location QR code each visit. This will log your visit and send data to ACT Health where it will be kept securely for 28 days.
• Filling in your details on the paper slip provided and putting it in the locked box. Completed slips will be stored securely for 28 days and then securely destroyed.

Physical distancing measures and building capacity limits apply at all our libraries. If the library reaches its capacity, you will need to wait for someone to leave before you can enter. You must practise good hygiene and use hand sanitiser when entering.

Hand sanitiser is provided at all libraries and cleaners regularly move through the library and sanitise furniture and high contact equipment.

Please do not visit the library if you are feeling unwell, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19, and was contagious at that time.

Library services

You can continue to browse the shelves and borrow items, collect reserves when notified they are allocated to you and ready to be picked up and return items.

Library staff will provide help, but only within physical distancing requirements.

Some tables and chairs will be available in public spaces. This will be limited to meet physical distancing and building capacity restrictions.

Computer use is limited to 30 minutes. Pre-arranged bookings can be made by phone (6205 9000) Due to the limited number of computers and time available, each booking is a maximum of 30 minutes. If there is no one waiting for a computer, you can ask to extend your booking for an extra 30 minutes.

Justice of the Peace services will resume at three libraries (Erindale, Civic and Belconnen) from the week beginning 6 October. Please ask staff for times.

The ACT Heritage Library is open and has the same precautions to protect the community and our staff. Researchers may conduct research using the collections of the ACT Heritage Library for up to two hours. Bookings are encouraged to avoid delays in accessing the library (phone 6207 5163). A temperature check may be required to use the ACT Heritage Library. For ACT Heritage Library enquiries, you can also contact us by web form or phone.

Services not available

You will not be able to:

• Make cash payments. A maximum of 20 pages printing/photocopying per person per day for free will be provided.
• Ask library staff to help you at computers, because this doesn’t meet physical distancing requirements.

Services that remain suspended for now include:

• Library programs – We expect this to continue for a while and are providing some online programs
• Room hire
• Volunteering
• The Access Canberra Driver Licence Service remains closed at the Civic library branch – Please visit www.act.gov.au/AccessCBR or phone Access Canberra for more information

More information

Go to our Questions & Answers about Libraries ACT and COVID-19 page for answers to the most common questions we have been asked.

If you are not able to visit the library because of COVID-19 restrictions, please ask about our free Mystery Box delivery service.

Library members can continue to access eBooks, eAudio, digital magazines, Story Box Library and other Digital Resources on our website using their username/membership number and passphrase. If you need help using digital resources, or to join the library online, phone our digital helpline on 6207 7265.

The ACT Government is making important information about COVID-19 available to Canberrans in twelve community languages here:

To access these translated information resources, as well as links to other language resources (including information from the Australian Government) please visit www.covid19.act.gov.au/community/translated-resources.

The ACT Government continues to update the information available in these languages as new community messages about COVID-19 become available.