Libraries more accessible for North Shore and Rodney residentsNorth Shore City and Rodney residents and ratepayers will now be able to borrow books from each others’ libraries free of charge. As from Monday April 14, residents and ratepayers from both areas will be able to join libraries in their neighbouring city without having to pay a subscription. North Shore City’s library services manager, Geoff Chamberlain, says the new borrowing system will make access to libraries much easier. "People who regularly pop across to Rodney from North Shore City or vice versa will now be able to join a local library without having to pay for it," he says. "As our closest neighbour, we already have a large number of subscribers from Rodney. Many people travel from one city to the other for shopping, social activities or work, and it’s often easier to visit a nearby library than travel further afield," says Geoff. Prior to this new borrowing system being introduced people who lived outside council boundaries were charged an annual membership fee of $120 in North Shore City and $50 in Rodney to join each others' libraries. Rodney's acting libraries manager, Vicki Clarke welcomes this new co-operative approach. "We are continuously looking at ways to improve our library services. Now residents from North Shore and Rodney will have access to a wider range of books and library resources," she says. "Our shared catalogue enables library users to search for items held at other libraries, and now they will be able to borrow them without having to pay a fee." North Shore or Rodney residents wishing to benefit from this new arrangement will need to join a library in the neighbouring council area and will then be given their own library card for use within that area. The reciprocal borrowing arrangement between North Shore and Rodney is an eLGAR initiative. eLGAR is made up of Auckland, Manukau, North Shore, Rodney and Waitakere libraries. Its members share a library management system and are working together to provide better library services across the region. It is likely that eLGAR will seek to have reciprocal borrowing rights for all citizens across the region but it will be a while before any Auckland-wide agreement is reached. Anyone wanting more information about reciprocal borrowing between North Shore and Rodney should visit their local library or contact North Shore Libraries on 09 486 8600 or Rodney Libraries on 0800 426 5169. |