An update from Southland District Libraries 

We know you will be eager to replenish your reading material and we’re excited to give you the chance to do so.

With Alert Level 2 now upon us, we’re taking a staged approach to opening our library facilities throughout the District. 

• Te Anau will be open to the public on Monday, 18 May 
• Winton will operate from Wednesday, 20 May 
• Both libraries will be open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday

However, libraries at Riverton, Stewart Island, Otautau, Wyndham and Lumsden will remain closed at this stage while we finalise the necessary risk management practices. 

But even if your local library is closed, we can look after your reading needs.

Our new Call and Collect service is up and running or you can opt for home delivery across the District. Phone 0800 732 542 and our team will co-ordinate books for you to collect from your closest library, including those currently closed, or deliver a selection of titles right to your doorstep.

Our digital library, including an array of eBooks, can be accessed online at https://www.southlanddc.govt.nz/my-southland/libraries/digital-library/ or download our Southland District Libraries app on your mobile.

If you’re popping into Te Anau or Winton libraries, on arrival you will be required to record your name and contact details on our contact tracing register and requested to use hand sanitiser. Please maintain 2m social distancing during your time with us and do not enter the libraries if you are unwell.

As lovely as it will be to see you, you will not be able to linger in the library, sit at tables, trawl through newspapers or use the public computers. 

Browsing our library collection yourself is not possible at this time so we can limit customer numbers and maintain surface hygiene standards. Instead our friendly and knowledgeable staff will happily access books from the shelves for you. So take a seat and tap into their wisdom to find a good read. 

Please use our after-hours returns slots to return your books. There will be no overdue fines from the lockdown period. All returns will be placed in ‘quarantine’ for 24 hours, before ‘returned’ through our database and re-shelved.

We look forward to seeing you as we all embrace our ‘new normal’.