Goldfields Library Corporation services to close from Thursday due to tighter coronavirus restrictions

Goldfields Library Corporation chief executive Mark Hands said the branches and agencies would be closed until at least September 13.

Home library service deliveries would also be suspended for the next six weeks.

"It was not a surprise to us that we would be closing again," Mr Hands said. "Disappointing as it is, we know it's part of keeping our community safe and we fully support it."

Mr Hands said online programs and events would continue, including storytimes via Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook.

Residents could also electronically borrow ebooks, audiobooks, digital magazines and newspapers, online movies and TV shows.

Read more:

The Ask a Librarian service would also continue in the next lockdown period. Residents could call or email their local library branch and leave a message.

A staff member would then get back to them to either assist with book suggestions, research, and reference enquiries, or even just to have a chat.

"Having gone through it once, we already have all of the programs ready to go," Mr Hands said. "The main thing is closing access to the physical collection."

Libraries were open until Wednesday, so Mr Hands encouraged residents to collect enough reading materials, DVDs, and CDs to cover the next few weeks.

"It's been lovely to see long lines outside many of our libraries in the past couple of days," he said. "We're seeing people stock up, which is great."

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.