It has been announced this afternoon that despite the change in restrictions, all Richmond Tweed Regional Library branches and the Mobile Library will be offering free Click & Collect and online services only from today until December 1.
Library Management’s decision is based on a balance between meeting the requirements of the Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order 2021 commencing 11 October, and delivering quality services to library members.
Acting Regional Library Manager Lucy Kinsley said that it was a difficult decision to make but one that provided the most equitable service to our community. ‘This decision will be reviewed if the NSW Public Health Order is changed.’
During this period there will be no access to PCs, face-to-face programs are cancelled, printing services are unavailable, and there is no physical browsing of the collections.
‘Library members can access the free Click & Collect services by visiting the library website or app and placing reservations on items of their choosing, or alternatively, staff can select items on a particular theme, topic, or genre for you,’ said Ms Kinsley.
‘Contact your local branch to arrange a Staff Selection or book a time to collect your Click & Collect items.
‘The Online library is always open, providing access to thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and more.’
The Research & Family History Centre will remain closed until 1 December.
Details on accessing Click & Collect and the online services are available from www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au or by phone.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row. An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market. The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week. COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal. Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day. The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.
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