There’s nothing quite like the cosy combination of books and coffee, and that combination has returned to Bundaberg Library with the reopening of Cafe 641.

The reopening of the Bundaberg Health Services Foundation run cafe is yet another step towards normality, but also means funds will once again begin to filter through to the Bundaberg Hospital, which the cafe supports.

Manager of Library Services, Peta Browne said it was great to have the smell of coffee wafting through the library again.

“It’s been part of the library for eight years now,” Peta said.

“The smell of coffee is lovely and gives people another reason to linger in the library.”

“It’s definitely good to have them back as it’s a bit more normalcy for everybody, as well as an extra service and pleasant escape for people.”

The cafe is operated out of Bundaberg Library by the trained volunteer baristas of the Bundaberg Health Services Foundation.

COVID restrictions forced the temporary closure of the cafe, but Volunteer Coordinator Tanya O’Shea-Drabsch said volunteers and patrons were delighted by their return.

“We’ve just opened again as we had to close because of the COVID situation, but we’re back open from Monday to Saturday, 9:30-12pm,” Tanya said.

“We’ve got a great variety of volunteers here who have done a marvellous job and many who have been here for the whole eight years that we’ve been running this program.”

“I love my team and we’re all so happy to be back.”

All funds raised from cafe sales go to the Foundation for the improvement of patient services locally.

Tanya O’Shea-Drabsch said over the past eight years, the cafe has raised $60,000 and since 1999 the Foundation itself has contributed over $300,000 towards medical equipment, patient services and training for doctors and nurses at Bundaberg Hospital.

 “Over the past eight years we have raised over $60,000 and that money has gone back into the hospital to supply non-government supplied equipment,” Tanya said.

“It’s just one of the projects that all the volunteers do, and we have 70 volunteers and 17 programs that we run.”

“We do a lot of volunteering hours per week to raise funds for our local hospital.”

Volunteers were invited to join the Bundaberg Health Services Foundation and Tanya O’Shea-Drabsch said there were various different roles available.

“We’re always open and looking for volunteers. Everyone has some knowledge and some experience to bring to our different projects so if you‘re interested you can call us on 4150 2863.”

“Find out where your passion is, your knowledge is and where you’d like to contribute your time, so we can just be part of the community in the best way.”