Toowoomba Regional Council to open up libraries as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease

The Toowoomba Regional Council’s libraries will move to the next stage of the reopening from next week as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease. It comes as new data shows the growth in e-book and other digital loans during the pandemic.

The Toowoomba Regional Library.

The Toowoomba region’s libraries will see increased services and extension of operating hours as part of the new stage.

TRC library and cultural services portfolio leader Cr Tim McMahon said the easing of restrictions brought the region another step closer to normality.

“There will also be some extra service offerings and the extension opening hours across all libraries based on a community needs basis,” Cr McMahon said.

“The next stage will see the relaxation of time limits, including the removal of 30-minute browsing.

“There will be increased access to public computers and newspapers will again be provided for our customers.

“The meeting rooms at Oakey, Clifton and Yarraman libraries will be available to the public under COVID-19 safety requirements.

“Customers can also continue to return their borrowed items to our return chutes.”

Cr McMahon said the staged reopening of library buildings and services included practical measures to help residents comply with updated health instructions.

“The easing of restrictions is in line with the State Government’s staged COVID-19 road map to easing restrictions,” he said.

“Libraries, like many other facilities, need to comply with state and federal social distancing and total attendance figure guidelines.

“The council will still be required to do the standard COVID requirements of contact tracing, sanitising and social distancing.”

Cr McMahon said patrons must follow hygiene practices when visiting local libraries.

“Hand sanitiser would be available at libraries’ front entrances,” he said

“Staff will regularly wipe down exposed surfaces including self-issue kiosk screens, computer monitors, keyboards, seats and touch screens.

“The council has these measures in place to ensure staff and library visitors can safely resume more services.”

It comes after new data showed e-book loans had skyrocketed during the pandemic, with more than 130,000 digital items borrowed through the council system between July and September.

The TRC’s operational plan progress report showed physical items were well below set targets (209,000 items), while just 42,000 visitations were recorded during the September quarter.

For more information, call the council on 131 872.