Library members will soon be able to borrow a book from one South West library and return it to a different library, when a new “one-card” system is introduced.
A group of 11 South West local governments has created a first in Western Australia by agreeing to implement a “one card” library system, which will allow members to access resources from any of the participating libraries and return items to any other within the group.
The Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup chief executive Ben Rose said the new shared approach would give library members more flexibility.
“For example, you can now borrow a book from the Donnybrook Community Library, and return it to the Busselton Library while shopping in the town. And while you’re in Busselton you might pick up another book, using the same card, and return it a week later to the Balingup Library.”
The shared approach will not only give library members access to a bigger library collection, it has generated significant savings for the participating local governments by requiring the purchase of only one shared software system.
The group has accepted a tender for the latest in library management systems from provider Sersi Dynix and the shared software is expected to be in place and ready for use in about six months’ time.
“People are more mobile these days, and in many cases busier,” Rose said.
The 11 local governments participating in the new one-card system are: Dardanup, Bunbury, Busselton, Capel, Boyup Brook, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey, Manjimup, Nannup, Waroona, and Bridgetown-Greenbushes.
