Library Express is a temporary service adjustment intended to provide core library services while meeting State Government requirements and ensuring the health and safety of our community and staff. It is currently being offered at Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library, Fitzroy Library and Richmond Library, with click-and-collect services available at Carlton Library.

Effective Monday 22 June

Library Express includes:

✅ Temporary Opening Hours

Carlton Library*, Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library, Fitzroy Library and Richmond Library:

Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday: CLOSED

*Carlton Library is open for Click-and-Collect services only during the times listed above.
Place items on hold and collect them from the library’s entrance. A library staff member will collect holds from the holds shelf and give them to the customer to check out at the self-check machine or on their phones via the app.

Collingwood Library remains closed due to ongoing building works.

✅ Browsing and Borrowing
Up to 20 people (plus library staff) can enter the library at any one time. Wait times and queuing outside the library may be necessary.
Priority will be given to community members with increased risk to coronavirus (COVID-19). Please inform the concierge of your needs.

✅ 30-Minute Visits
To ensure everyone can use the library's service during our limited opening hours, and to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, we kindly ask that members complete their visit in under 30 minutes. Hand sanitising upon entry is mandatory for all visitors.

✅ Customer Service
Our friendly library staff are here to help and will be available to assist you with information and reference enquiries from a safe distance.
Online chat continues to be available during opening hours.

✅ Limited PC and Wi-Fi access
Strict 30-minute sessions will be available, though limited to one session per person, per day. Assistance from library staff may be limited.

✅ Printing, Photocopying and Scanning
These services will be available for self-sufficient members; assistance from library staff may be limited.
Wireless printing is available and payment via EFTPOS is strongly encouraged.

✅ Returns
Borrowed library items can be returned through the external returns chutes at all libraries except Collingwood Library.

✅ Library programs
Library programming will continue to be delivered online.

⛔ Bookable spaces or meeting rooms

⛔ Drinking Fountains 

⛔ Gaming Consoles or tablet hire

⛔ Browsing latest magazines/newspapers 

⛔ Libraries Victoria (Swift) or inter-library loans
Members won't be able to place holds on items not already held in one of our branches (Carlton, Collingwood, Fitzroy, North Fitzroy or Richmond).

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We will continuously monitor our service delivery and alter as necessary to ensure the health and safety of our community and staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will be different when you re-open? What hygiene practices and safety protocols will be in place?

Once we re-open libraries, strict hygiene and social distancing rules will be in place to protect our staff, library members and the wider community.

• A limited number of people will be allowed in each library at any one time; social distancing and strict hygiene rules will be in place as per State Government directions.
• Library visits will be limited to 30 minutes. Contact tracing (recording your visit) is required to comply with government requirements.
• A library staff member will work as a concierge at the door to manage visitor numbers and enforce hand sanitising on entry.
• The latest advice from State Government (prepared in consultation with the Victorian Chief Health Officer and Department of Health and Human Services) is that books do not need to be quarantined. Our staff are following this advice and are handwashing regularly, using hand santiser frequently and wearing gloves where necessary. Items with hard plastic casing (such as DVDs, CDs and audiobooks) are being cleaned with disinfectant upon return and regular cleaning of surfaces and high traffic areas will occur. Read the latest advice here

Library members are asked to follow the direction of staff and signage in branches, and be respectful of the rules that are in place to keep everyone safe.

Are returns chutes open?

Yes. Returns chutes at all libraries except Collingwood Library will open. There is no rush to return items as most items have been renewed automatically. Please only return items if it is safe for you to leave your home.

I have items on-loan but cannot yet return them. Will I get a fine?

No. Yarra Libraries does not charge late fees and there is no expectation for people who are quarantined or self-isolating to return their items until they are ready and able to do so.

I had a reserved item ready to be picked up before the libraries closed - what happened to it?

Items that were not collected prior to our libraries closing may have been returned to the shelf and/or their owning library. A new hold has been placed on your behalf but may take time to arrive. Please wait for a new notification (email or SMS) to confirm that it is ready to be collected.

Items awaiting pick-up from Collingwood Library can be redirected to another branch. Change the pick-up location or check the status of your reservations online or call us on 1300 695 427.

Can I start making reservations for items now?

You can begin making reservations to be collected from Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library, Carlton Library, Fitzroy Library or Richmond Library.
Please note, inter-library loans and Libraries Victoria (Swift) items are not yet available. Collingwood Library is not available as a pick-up location as it is currently closed for building works.

How will I be notified about my click-and-collect items?

Hold notifications are typically sent by email or SMS. Please wait for confirmation that your item is available before visiting.
If your contact details have changed please let us know.

Is it safe to handle books and library items? What precautions are in place?

Yarra Libraries is following the advice from State Government (prepared in consultation with the Victorian Chief Health Officer and Department of Health and Human Services) around the handling of collection items moving through the library network and the community. The latest advice is that books do not need to be quarantined.

Our staff are following this advice and are handwashing regularly, using hand santiser frequently and wearing gloves where necessary. Items with hard plastic casing (such as DVDs, CDs and audiobooks) are being cleaned with disinfectant upon return and regular cleaning of surfaces and high traffic areas will occur. Read the latest advice here

Can I use a computer?

Yes. Members can visit the library and use a computer for up to 30 minutes per day.
Library staff are routinely cleaning benchtop surfaces and computer equipment but members are also encouraged to sanitise the keyboard, mouse and chair before and after use. 

When will library programs, like Storytime, resume?

In-person events, including author talks and children's pre-school sessions, will continue to be delivered online only, until further notice.

More information

For more information about Library Express please call 1300 695 427 or email [email protected]