Central Coast Council Library branches at Erina, Tuggerah, Bateau Bay and Umina Beach are open to the public from today, Monday 1 June offering limited services to ensure staff are able to keep customers safe in line with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, and while refurbishments undertaken at some branches during closure can be completed.

Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said Council is taking a staged approach to reopening branches and in-branch services.

“Our ‘Select and Collect’ service for pre-ordered items will be available Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm to ensure compliance with current social distancing requirements. There will also be a selection of books and DVDs available at the branches for borrowing. Our ‘Click and Deliver’ service will continue for the foreseeable future and the afterhours chutes remain open for returned items. As always, our friendly Librarians are ready to assist members by phone with their selections for reservation and collection” Ms Vaughan said

“Stage one of our reopen plan does not include browsing the collections, PC use or using the study/reading areas. Our regular branch programs, such as Storytime and Bookclub, are also still suspended in order to comply with social gathering and distancing restrictions. People can now tune in to Storytime online via Youtube at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/youtube

“In addition to the reopening of these libraries, Council is also making the full range of customer services available, excluding Development Applications, at Erina and Tuggerah Libraries, Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm for the public’s convenience.

“We are excited to see our facilities start to reopen as government restrictions begin to ease and we have implemented a number of changes to help keep customers and staff safe while at our facilities - The safety of our customers and staff in our facilities has and always will remain the highest priority for Council.”

To keep customers safe when carrying out their financial transactions, social distancing and hygiene measures will be applied and we ask the community to assist us in meeting those.

Additionally during COVID-19 restrictions, to minimise the handling of notes and coins we are encouraging our customers to use contactless payment methods. Payments will need to be made by cheque, EFTPOS, Mastercard or Visa.

Cash payments for rates and water charges can still be made at Australia Post and Westpac branches.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the COVID-19 pandemic has proven just how strong and resilient the Central Coast community is.

“We would like to thank our community for their efforts in following the guidelines of NSW Health and Federal authorities to slow the spread of COVID-19 on the Central Coast,” Mayor Matthews said.

“As we gradually reopen Council facilities, I ask the community to continue to be patient and vigilant and adhere to the latest restrictions and guidelines around physical distancing, public gatherings and hygiene.”

Payment options and further information about the changes can be found online at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/payments or centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/covid-19