Yarra Libraries has been working hard to make sure people not only continue to read and learn, but also have enough food and other support during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Since March, Yarra Libraries has delivered more than 800 Binge Bundles to people all over Yarra who miss our physical libraries.

Binge Bundles offer a selection of books and other library items delivered directly to people’s homes. The bundles are tailored to your reading preferences and can contain up to 10 library items, including books, DVDs and CDs. Due to Stage 4 restrictions, this service is currently suspended.

Pre-loved library books are also being given a new lease of life through the Belgium Ave and Collingwood Neighbourhood Houses' Lifting Spirits Keeping Connected program which was launched in response to COVID-19. As of August 2020, Yarra Libraries has donated around 20,000 books.

But it’s more than just books we’re delivering to the community. Yarra Libraries has teamed up with not-for-profits Open Table and Cultivating Community to assemble and distribute food relief packages to people who need them. An average of 371 packages are being delivered each week.

As well as fresh produce and frozen meals donated by local businesses and charities, these packs contain toiletries, library books, children’s activity sheets, and other forms of information and entertainment for people who might not have access to the internet or other news sources.

Yarra Libraries has also expanded its online resources to help facilitate remote learning, as well as keep people entertained while physically distancing. This includes subscriptions to World Book and Studiosity as well as remote access to Ancestry and PressReader. Update: Remote access to Ancestry has now ceased, but the service can again be accessed by using a computer located within our library branches. 

These additional services come after Yarra Libraries topped our annual customer satisfaction survey, held in February.