Tamworth library is revolutionising the way people read books as they turn a new page and adapt to life in the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The library may have shut the front doors for the time being, but they've opened up the loading dock for contactless 'click and collect' book borrowing.
Tamworth Regional Council manager of cultural and community services Kay Delahunt said library books can be borrowed online or over the phone, wrapped by staff and placed in a drive-through area for pick-up.
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"This is partly about mental health and people having so much time on their hands, especially if they're in self isolation, so there's a lot of new situations where people may want that stimulation," she said.
The library isn't accepting returns for the time being, so anything left in the collection can be checked out and limits have been relaxed on the number of books which can be borrowed in one hit.
"It's about having a healthy community," Ms Delahunt said.
It may be the end browsing book shelves for now, but library staff are on hand to fix up packages for people.
Ms Delahunt said locals can ring the library and request a 'genre' or type of book, and a collection will be sorted and delivered to the drive-through dock.
Ms Delahunt said people are "absolutely" behind the initiative, with books being reserved from all over the region.
The home library delivery service is still up and running for housebound locals.
And if reading isn't your thing, boredom can be curbed and inspiration sparked with other library programs.
The library's innovation studio has started uploading online coding tutorials to YouTube for people following along at home.
The CNRL Library Innovation studio Facebook page has links to find these lessons.
"There will be more developed ... for remote access to things normally only available on-site," Ms Delahunt said.
Apps to borrow online e-books, films and audio are also available for download and new members to the library can sign up on the website at https://cnrl.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRNGEN/WPAC/COVID19
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
