Facilities to reopen – expect some changes

Published: 29 May 2020 2:42pm

Some of Wagga Wagga City Council’s facilities will reopen their doors next week as the NSW Government’s COVID-19 restrictions ease. Council staff have been busy working behind the scenes introducing new social distancing and hygiene protocols to keep everyone safe.

The Wagga Wagga City Library along with the Visitor Information Centre will be the first two facilities opening their doors on Monday 1 June.

Library Manager Claire Campbell said her team were looking forward to welcoming the community back.

“We’re doing everything in accordance with NSW Government requirements to keep our community safe,” Ms Campbell said.

“Weekdays between 10–11am will be a priority hour for seniors and high-risk people to visit the library. We’ll welcome the rest of the community from 11am onwards.”

Returning to the library will be a different experience for patrons, with timed visits, restricted visitor numbers, fewer chairs and no wi-fi, computers or physical newspapers.

“We’ll be encouraging visitors to come in, quickly get their items, and leave so the next group can enter,” Ms Campbell said.

“All returned items will be quarantined for three days before they go back on the shelves.

“We’ll also be meeting visitors at the door to scan library cards or record details. We’ll store this information for 29 days in case we need to trace people due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

“We know this new system will take some getting used to, and we appreciate everyone’s patience. Once you’re curled up at home with a fresh stack of books, it’ll be worth the trip.”

Both the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and the Museum of the Riverina’s Historic Council Chambers site will reopen on Tuesday 2 June from 10am.

“Visitors will be able to enjoy a number of exhibitions including the National Emerging Art Glass Prize 2020, Tree Conversations: networking with the wood wide web and Freya Jobbins’ solo exhibition Return,” Art Gallery Director Caroline Geraghty said.

“We’re also opening a new exhibition, Bad timing, on 6 June. Bad Timing is the fifth work in a series exploring the life and legacy of the mythic performance artist Barbara Cleveland.”

For a full list of Council’s facility and service changes visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/servicechanges

Image: Wagga Wagga City Library Manager Claire Campbell is ready to open the doors on Monday.