Citys plan to reinvigorate library membership |
The City of Sydney has launched Look Whos Joined the Library, giving new and existing library members access to exclusive special discounts offered by some of Sydneys most prestigious cultural organisations.
"The traditional notion of a library is on its way out. More than 1.2 million people visit the Citys libraries each year, an average of more than 100,000 people each month, and we want to show them all the benefits of becoming library members", Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said.
The City of Sydney manages seven community libraries and three library links across the Sydney CBD and inner City suburbs. There are currently 31,000 City of Sydney library members.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the Look Whos Joined the Library campaign is designed to compliment the City Librarys extensive range of services by offering special discounts to prestigious cultural organisations.
"Our libraries are not just places for residents and visitors to read and borrow books - they are cultural hubs, activity centres, meeting spaces, exhibition spaces, cafes and a valuable, lively part of our community,"said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.
Thanks to Look Whos Joined the Library, library members will receive special discounts from a range of cultural organisations including City Recital Hall, Griffin Theatre Company, Historic Houses Trust, Queer Screen, Seymour Centre, Sydney Symphony and Sydney Theatre Company.
Library members can take advantage of free tickets to lunch time concerts at City Recital Hall, discounted Sydney Symphony performances at the Sydney Opera House, and special admission prices at Historic Houses Trust buildings and museums.
"The partnership with some of Sydneys most prestigious cultural organisations complements the free public programs already offered in our Libraries. Book readings, history and heritage programs, childrens story time, new lap-sit programs and homework help are just a few of the programs the Citys Libraries offer ", said Ms Moore.
Library members have long enjoyed the benefit of the Citys catalogue, with more than 500,000 books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs and CDs, and most recently the addition of free wireless internet access.
Each of the Citys libraries carry unique collections: Customs House library, Circular Quay holds an extensive collection of Japanese language books and comics, as well as music scores; Newtown library has a wide collection of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender items; Haymarket has the largest lending collection of Chinese items in Australia; while Waterloo library has a large Koori collection.
"Customs House is the perfect example of what libraries have become. It is the Citys showcase library combining traditional periodicals with multimedia, wi-fi, newspapers, cafes and exhibitions. Libraries are spaces for people to enjoy one anothers company and discover something amazing.
"A new library will open in Surry Hills later this year combining a community centre, childcare centre and meeting space with a library,"said Ms Moore.
"It will be a showcase of environmentally sustainable design incorporating a green roof, geo-thermal cooling to reduce reliance on air-conditioning and a bio-atrium with plants to naturally filter the air."
Library membership is free for City of Sydney residents and joining is easy. For more information on library discounts offered to members, visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/library and follow the Look Whos Joined the Library link.
The City of Sydney operates libraries at: Customs House, Circular Quay; Glebe; Haymarket; Kings Cross; Newtown; Ultimo; and Waterloo. There are library links offering a smaller range of services at Town Hall House, Sydney; Pyrmont; and a temporary link at Surry Hills.
❊ Web Links ❊
➼ Citys plan to reinvigorate library membership
➼ www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
➼ www.sydneymedia.com.au
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