The move by Wagga Wagga City Library to operate as a standalone service for residents of the Local Government Area comes into effect at the beginning of July 2022, with a range of new services to be delivered.
Council made the decision in September 2021 to become a standalone library service from 1 July 2022 based on extensive community feedback gathered during the 2019/20 Library Review and follow up village consultation process.
Manager Community Services Madeleine Scully said the change will enable the library to offer a broader and more accessible range of programs and resources to the community.
"We undertook extensive community consultation as part of the library review, and these changes are in response to the feedback we received," Ms Scully said.
"Our community told us that they held the library service in very high regard and wanted it to grow and be an accessible service across our Local Government Area, not just a focus at the Civic Centre or online.
"The standalone library service will enable us to connect with more residents no matter where they live across the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area."
In preparation for the changes, current members are being encouraged to get their new Wagga Wagga City Library card.
Manager Library Services Claire Campbell said new cards will be available at the library for collection from Tuesday 21 June 2022.
"You don't have to come in straightaway as your RRL card will keep working for borrowing physical books until it is exchanged for the new Wagga Wagga City Library card," Ms Campbell said.
"However, you will need your new card to access the eLibrary resources online, such as eBooks and eAudio books, from 21 June. eBook users can call the library from 21 June and we will change your card immediately and post the physical card to you for free."
Library members who live outside the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area can join the Wagga Wagga City Library as a reciprocal member. All they need to do is show their RRL card to staff and they will be given a new Wagga Wagga City Library card.
Like all reciprocal members across the NSW Public Libraries network, they will be able to borrow four items at a time from the Wagga Wagga City Library collection with their new card.
Another change will be the new Agile Library service, which features two custom designed library vans operating a weekly service, delivering books, library services and programs to suburbs and rural villages across the Local Government Area.
While the delivery of the custom-designed vans has been delayed due to COVID impacts on the contractor, the new agile service will still start as planned from 1 July.
"There will be a click and collect car and van service in place to commence the Agile Library service until the specialised vehicles arrive in mid-August," Ms Campbell said.
"The library wants to make sure that what we bring to you is exactly what you want. You can ring the library and tell us what books or authors you like to read, and you can collect them when the Agile Library service visits your suburb or village."
A schedule for the first six months of the Agile Library service has been finalised. The library will be launching a new website on Tuesday (21 June) which will have all the details of the Agile Library timetable and locations available.
In preparation for the website launch, the library will be offline on Monday 20 June which means that eLibrary services including internet access, printing and the catalogue will not be available that day. However, the library will be open, with staff ready to assist.
Also coming soon: Build! The Library will be heading out to suburbs and rural villages across the Local Government Area in the July winter school holidays, giving kids a chance to connect and create. There'll be stories, Lego, colouring, and building for kids aged 6-12 years.
The program is free and details will be on the library's new website from 21 June.
