Library fine amnesty and transition to new services
Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Inner West Council libraries give fine amnesty as they transition to smarter services
There has never been a better time to be a library member. Not only are Inner West Council libraries rolling out a new, improved digital management system but to celebrate, they are wiping out existing fines for lost or overdue items for all members.
The new cloud based catalogue and membership system combines the collections of all eight Inner West libraries giving members instant access to over 1.4 million books, films, magazines, digital media, and historical images and documents.
In addition, the software recognises borrowing patterns and interests to offer personalised suggestions.
“Today, libraries offer so much more than books. Our members want 24 hour access to the collection and to be able to move easily between physical and digital services,” explains Library and History Group Manager Caroline McLeod. “And we are absolutely delighted to be able to wipe the slate clean, so that our members who are worried about their fines can enjoy the new system.”
In addition, fines for overdue items will only be charged for people 18 years and over.
As part of the technology upgrades, Smart Shelving has been implemented in some libraries and will be added to others in the coming months.
Nicknamed the ‘magic shelves’ by customers at Ashfield, Leichhardt and Balmain libraries, where the system has been in place for some months, the shelves loan and return automatically when books are placed on the shelves. Customers get confirmation their books have been returned, they can easily see the most popular books and don’t need to wait to be served.
As the libraries transition to the new system, some services will be temporarily unavailable between Friday 15 February and Friday 1 March, 2019:
- Limited onsite access (return and borrow only- no renewing, reserving or interlibrary loans)
- No online member and catalogue access
- No digital resources including audiobooks, e-magazines and history digital collection
The eight branches are located at Ashfield, Balmain, Dulwich Hill, Haberfield, Leichhardt, Marrickville, Stanmore, and St Peters/Sydenham.
Visit the libraries page for further information.
For an interview with Group Manager Library and History Caroline McLeod, or for a print quality image, contact the Communications team.