Staff shortages due to Covid-19 have ravaged Canberra’s food and hospitality sectors and has now infected its next unlikely victim: ACT public libraries. 

If you’re an avid reader and were planning on spending your isolation period with a good book from the local library, it unfortunately may not be open.  

From Sunday 16 January until Monday 31 January, both the Erindale and Civic Libraries will be temporary closed due to lack of staff availability during the current Covid-19 outbreak.

Executive Branch Manager at Libraries ACT, Vanessa Little, said the workface is being impacted by Covid-19 and a “large proportion of staff” are currently needing to follow the isolation requirements.

“To try and maintain continuity of service across Canberra’s library network, we will close these two branches for the next two weeks. This is in addition to the current closure of the ACT Heritage Library on Mondays and Fridays,” Ms Little said.

“We apologise for any inconvenience these interim arrangements might cause but it will mean our remaining staff members can provide reliable and accessible services for Canberrans at our other branches.”

For library members who have a reserve at either of the closed branches, Libraries ACT will be in contact to discussion transferring your collection to another location.

“Since the pandemic began in 2020, Libraries ACT has looked at ways to offer the community services in different ways, including contactless home delivery as well as an improved range of online resources,” Ms Little says.  

“The Mystery Box has been introduced which allows library members to choose from a list of categories of interest to them. We have also launched a digital only program, the Too Busy Book Club, as another way of connecting people.”

Both the Tuggeranong and Dickson libraries remain open, and items from the closed libraries may be returned to these branches or renewed online.

For more information on the available services, visit the Libraries ACT website.

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