Library to close during first week of school holidays for renovations

"We realise the timing of the closure is not ideal for many people and that we will be closed for the first week of the school holidays, however, we had to meet our contractual arrangements with the University of Wollongong library, and this is the best timing to minimise disruption to our local UoW students," acting library coordinator Samantha Fenton said.

Bega Valley Shire Council said new carpet will be laid in the building from Thursday, July 4 to Sunday, July 14 with the library reopening to the public on July 15.

Almost 20mm of rain fell in just two hours in Bega on February 5, forcing the closure of the library and the Bega Valley Regional Gallery.

The children's area will also be refurbished, with a custom-built reading nook and study and seating areas will be improved, staff said.

"We'd love people to come in and have a look at the revitalised space when we reopen and we can't wait to see children using the new reading nook," Ms Fenton said.

"Excitingly, school holiday activities will run during the second week of the holidays in the new-look library.

"People can still return items through the after-hours returns box, which is located to the left of the Bega Library entrance and all items with a due date that falls during the library closure have automatically been extended until the library reopens on 15 July.

"We will be providing printing and copying services at the Bega Youth Space, where WiFi will also be available, but people will need to bring their documents on a USB stick or thumb drive."

The Youth Space on Gipps St, next to the Bega Court House, will be open between the hours of 10am to 12pm, Monday to Friday.

Services at other shire libraries at Eden, Tura Beach and Bermagui are unaffected by the closure.

Online services will still be available 24/7 at www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au/library.