Visit the Library: COVID Safe Summer

Darebin Libraries
COVID Safe Summer restrictions

Northcote, Reservoir and Preston Libraries are now open.

The latest Victorian Government restrictions means:

• You must wear a mask (unless exempted by law)
• Capacity limits have increased
• Physical distancing and good hand hygiene practice is required
• You will still need to provide your first name and phone number for contact tracing
• Libraries will continue to have reduced opening hours and will shut for a lunchtime clean.

Please understand that due to the higher number of staff needed to operate library branches in a COVID-safe manner, we are currently unable to offer evening hours or offer services at Fairfield Library. We anticipate that we will be able to reopen Fairfield Library and extend opening hours at all branches in February 2021.

End to extended due dates: return or renew your items

Now restrictions have significantly eased, our rolling extension of due dates has ended. Please check your library account - via the Darebin Libraries app or our website - for the due date of any items you have on loan.

Return chutes are open at all branches 24 hours a day.

If you need to renew items for another three weeks, you can do this in your library account or by calling us.

If you need more time to return your items, please call us on 1300 655 355.

COVID relief approach to fines and charges

Until further notice, overdue fines will not accrue. Existing fines will not prevent you from borrowing. Lost and damaged items will still be charged to your library account however, at this time, an outstanding charge will not prevent you from borrowing.

Your guide to visiting the library

Number of visitors:

To keep within Government restrictions, while also considering how our visitors can safely move around and use our library spaces, we have set the following caps for each branch:

Northcote: 90

Reservoir: 70

Preston: 100 

These caps may change after further evaluation.

You can now spend up to three hours in the library to:

Collect your reservations

• Visit the assisted reservations table, state your name and a staff member will bring your items to you

Browse and borrow

• Please maintain a 1.5 metre distance from other browsers
• If you prefer to be in and out of the library quickly, reserve your items in advance and we’ll let you know when they are ready for you to borrow

Work, study and use Wi-Fi

• Limited work and study tables are available, you may need to wait
• To maintain physical distancing, tables with tape across them should not be used
• Group study cannot be supported due to physical distancing requirements
• Alcohol wipes to sanitise desks are available, please ask a staff member for this when you enter the library
• Wireless printing is available
• Library Wi-Fi can also be accessed outside all library branches

Use a library computer

• Computers are available for up to 75 minutes a day
• Accessibility computers are available for up to two hours a day
• Due to physical distancing requirements, staff are only able to offer very limited support from a distance of 1.5 metres
• You are welcome to bring someone to help you with your use of the computer
• Bookings can be made in branch or by calling 1300 655 355

Use an express computer

• For up to 30 minutes
• No bookings although you may need to wait
• Due to physical distancing requirements, staff are only able to offer very limited support from a distance of 1.5 metres

Print, scan, photocopy

• Our system is changing, so please speak to the computer assistance staff member for instructions
• No bookings although you may need to wait
• Wireless printing available
• Due to physical distancing requirements, staff are only able to offer very limited support from a distance of 1.5 metres

When you arrive at the library

The safety of our community and staff is our top priority. You must follow these instructions:

• Join the single queue
• Wear a mask (unless exempted by law)
• Stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people
• Follow the signs and use the hand sanitiser provided
• Give your name and phone number at the Welcome Desk when you enter. It is a government requirement that we collect this information for contact tracing
• Please do not visit the library if you are experiencing any COVID-19 like symptoms

Some items and services aren’t available

We appreciate your patience as we work to safely provide as many services as possible.

The following are not available:

• Newspapers
• Local and family history computers and microfiche
• Laptops and iPads from the device kiosk at Reservoir Library
• Gaming consoles
• Water coolers
• Meeting room bookings

For help accessing digital newspapers and magazines, or to continue your local or family history research from home, call us on 1300 655 355 or use the Ask a Librarian form.

Handling library items

Darebin Libraries do not quarantine or clean items on return.

• We encourage you to practise good hand hygiene when handling library items.
• If you choose to sanitise plastic or plastic-coated covers, please use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes.
• Please do not apply heat to library items (including using a microwave) as this may cause injury to you and will damage our tracking tags.

Events and programming 

Plans are underway for a gradual return to face-to-face events in early 2021. Some online programming will continue over summer through our Facebook page, where you can also access our catalogue of past online events (you do not need a Facebook account to view these videos).

Library Locations and Hours

Visit our Library hours page for our Christmas hours.

Northcote Library
32 – 38 Separation St, Northcote

Monday to Friday
10am–1pm and 2–5pm
(1–2pm – Closed for cleaning)

Saturday
10am–12.30pm and 1.30–4pm
(12.30–1.30pm – Closed for cleaning)

Reservoir Library
Reservoir Community and Learning Centre, 23 Edwardes St, Reservoir

Monday to Friday
10am–1pm and 2–5pm
(1–2pm - Closed for cleaning)

Saturday
10am–12.30pm and 1.30–4pm
(12.30–1.30pm - Closed for cleaning)

Preston Library
266 Gower St, Preston

Monday to Friday
10am–1pm and 2–5pm
(1–2pm - Closed for cleaning)

Saturday
10am–12.30pm and 1.30–4pm
(12.30–1.30pm - Closed for cleaning)

Sunday
11am–1.30pm and 2.30–5pm
(1.30–2.30pm - Closed for cleaning)

Fairfield Library
Due to the higher number of staff needed to operate libraries in a COVID-safe way, we are currently unable to open Fairfield Library. We anticipate that we will be able to reopen Fairfield Library in February 2021.

The following services can be accessed at Fairfield Library:

• Reserve items on the shelf at Fairfield Library and collect them from another branch
• Return items anytime using the chute on Arthur Street
• Use Wi-Fi outside Fairfield Library