High-tech library kiosk coming to Hamley Bridge
Published 12th December 2017
| 12 December 2017 |
Wakefield Regional Council is looking to the future, with Hamley Bridge set to benefit from a high-tech, self-serve library kiosk after the existing depot library is decommissioned in late December.
Council last week endorsed finding a suitable local venue for the kiosk service, in a move it hopes will provide more flexibility for library users and potentially become a model for other services in the region.
It is expected the Hamley Bridge kiosk service will be installed in a local business, where the public can order library material and have their items delivered to the business for collection.
Mayor Rodney Reid said the new system would make it easier for library users to check books and other resources in and out, allow for more convenient operating hours and provide a greater selection of library material.
“Library services are so important to our region and they continue to evolve. They provide a wealth of knowledge for communities and inspire a life-long love of reading in our children. That’s why I want Hamley residents to have more access to library services, and a kiosk system will ensure this,” Mayor Reid said.
“I hope the more convenient access to library material will encourage more people to use and be a part of our Council’s libraries.”
The shift from bricks-and-mortar to digital is part of the 2015 Libraries Forward Plan, which aims to improve the delivery of our region’s library services and our residents’ access to them.
After a thorough public consultation was carried out involving 115 local people, recommendations were made for library services via depots to be reviewed for optimal service, most likely to involve mobile popup/kiosk library services.
Under the scheme, our libraries will become more connected and able to share resources easier, while the ‘One Card’ system will continue to allow users to request books not just from the Balaklava Community Library but from libraries all over the State.
In considering the future for library services at Hamley Bridge, Council looked at examples from other Councils, like Tumby Bay, which adopted a similar system in Port Neill. That model was well received by the community and saw an increase in visitor numbers to the business hosting the kiosk.
Library services in the Hamley Bridge Institute will cease from 22 December 2017 due to the retirement of current librarian, Heidi Glossop. Residents can expect a kiosk popping up in March/April of next year.
Unfortunately there will be a small gap in service provisions, which we hope to keep to a minimum.
In the meantime we encourage Hamley Bridge residents to make use of our wonderful Balaklava Community Library and its friendly staff members.
Balaklava Community Library is located at Balaklava High School on May Terrace.
Its opening hours are:
9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
9am to 12 noon on Saturday
Closed Sunday.
Phone them on (08) 8862 1336 or find