YPRL's response to COVID-19

As per current restrictions, everyone who visits one of our library sites, including the Mobile Library, will need to have on you a fitted face mask that covers the nose and mouth — unless you have a medical exemption. It is strongly recommended that you wear one whenever you cannot keep 1.5 metres distance from others in our libraries. You should always carry a face mask with you when you leave home unless you have a lawful reason not to. Please visit the DHHS website for information about the current restrictions in place on wearing Face Masks across Victoria.

Please keep your distance from other library patrons. Stay 1.5m away from anyone you don't live with, and greet people with a smile or a wave — don't hug or shake hands. Be patient if waiting in a queue or navigating busy areas — give others space, and ensure you have space, too.

Each library branch will have a dedicated concierge who will greet you on arrival, and provide you with all the assistance and direction you need to complete your visit. Please be patient if there is a queue to get inside, or if the concierge is assisting another patron upon your arrival.

On entry to our library branches, you will be required to sign in with a QR Code. This is for contact tracing purposes only, and assists contact tracers in the event that a positive case of COVID-19 is identified.

The current library visitation capacities are as follows:

• Diamond Valley = 100 people
• Eltham = 100 people
• Lalor = 100 people
• Mill Park = 100 people
• Rosanna = 40 people
• Thomastown = 100 people
• Watsonia = 100 people
• Whittlesea = 15 people

Please note that Ivanhoe Library is closed for renovations.

We ask that you please do not bring food or drink (water excepted) into the library during this time.

Our library branches are no longer working to reduced hours and in fact have new, extended hours!

Each branch has individual hours and you can find out more through our locations page.

We recommend that you make the most of our Click & Collect service!

Simply place your item/s on hold, and select pickup from the branch most convenient to you.

Items placed on hold will be prepared for pickup by staff. You will receive a text message or email when your item/s are ready to be picked up. On arrival at your nominated branch, you'll find your item/s on the holds shelf. Self-serve kiosks are available for you to then borrow the item/s.

We are also offering the Click & Collect service at Hurstbridge Hub and Ivanhoe.

For more information, visit our Click & Collect page.

Let us know what your household's needs are and our trained library staff will put together a Family Fun Bundle for you to pick up as part of our Click & Collect service.

We are now delivering Care Boxes to anyone in the community who is unable to attend a library branch.

If you would like to receive a Care Box, please call your local branch or complete the request form on our Care Box page.

Due to the restrictions placed by COVID-19, many of our programs have moved online, including Code Club, and other group activities. Check out our Events page for upcoming programs. Storytimes are slowly returning to in person with outdoor and indoor sessions available at some branches.

Computer use is currently limited to 2 hours per person, per day.

The loan period for most items is 3 weeks, and you can take out up to 30 items per library card.

Regular disinfecting and increased cleaning is taking place at return chutes and on surfaces. All library staff have undertaken additional health and safety training to ensure their safety and yours.

The YPRL Mobile Library is currently closed for the summer. The Mobile Library will resume its normal activity on 27 January.

YPRL provides an Outreach Services vehicle that visits nursing homes, retirement villages, and assisted living accommodation facilities on a regular 3-week cycle. This service is now operating under a COVIDSafe plan.