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Wingecarribee Shire Council is set to reopen Bowral Central Library on June 1 as social restrictions ease across NSW.
Council's chief information officer John Crawford said the resumption of services at Bowral Library was the first in a series of gradual re-openings of the shire's public managed facilities.
"We're absolutely thrilled to be welcoming patrons back to Bowral Library," he said.
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"We know a lot of our regular guests missed catching up on their favourite reads."
While doors will reopen on Monday morning patrons will notice some changes to previous operations.
"Staff have been working very hard behind the scenes to ensure that the health and safety of all our library users remains our key priority when doors reopen," Mr Crawford said.
"The most noticeable difference will be the temporary change to our operating hours."
As of June 1, Bowral Library will have a dedicated opening for vulnerable patrons from 9.30am to 11am.
General access will follow from 11am to 5pm.
Other changes include limiting the number of patrons in the library to 15 patrons at any one time and restricting time within the facility to 20 minutes.
Contact details of patrons will also be recorded on entry and all book returns are to be made via the library chute.
Books that are returned will also be isolated for a period 24 hours before being returned to the catalogue and patrons are encouraged to use the library reservation system to minimise physical time within the branch.
"We understand that these changes may cause some initial inconvenience," Mr Crawford said.
"However, we feel the trade-off is necessary in order for us to reopen what is a vital community facility."
Mr Crawford said future changes would be reviewed in-line with State Government recommendations.
"While Bowral Library is set to reopen we can't yet accommodate operations recommencing at either our Mittagong branch or our Mobile Library services, which includes our weekly visit to Leighton Gardens," he said.
"As further restrictions are lifted we'll review when these services can also restart.
"In the mean time we thank all of our patrons for the patience they have shown and look forward to welcoming them back to Bowral Central Library."
All items borrowed before the enforced shutdown of council's libraries should be returned by June 30.
To view Bowral Library's online catalogue including Renewal and Request options, visit www.library.wsc.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 266 235.
