THE Bathurst Library building may be closed, but its resources and services are hardly off limits.
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Bathurst Regional Council has had to quickly make changes to a number of its facilities to comply with restrictions by the state and federal governments to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The transformation of library services has arguably been one of the quickest and most successful, with council's director of Cultural and Community Services. Alan Cattermole, saying almost all of its services have been able to continue.
"The library service is being staffed five days a week and is able to basically provide nearly all of its services, apart from distributing a book, and we are contemplating how we might do that safely into the future," he said.
Livestreaming story times and craft sessions on Facebook, introducing temporary eMemberships, and expanding the digital resources available on its website are some of the ways the library is providing services during the current COVID-19 restrictions.
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The library has also launched its usual school holiday activities program, which will come as good news to parents.
The craft-based virtual program includes seven activities over a two-week period that can be delivered over the internet.
Also still up and running is the library's book van, which continues to visit aged care facilities and villages around Bathurst.
"The mobile library is servicing around 110 clients individually around the city and we are ensuring those books are cleaned and prepared," Mr Cattermole said.
"Old people's homes are still being visited, villages where appropriate are still being visited."
He said that information will continue to be communicated to the community as changes are made to the delivery of library services.
To keep up-to-date with everything that is happening at Bathurst Library, follow the facility's Facebook page or visit bathurst.nsw.gov.au/library.
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