Picture: New Rodney Library cards now available
From November 1, Rodney residents will be able to use their library card at any of the 55 libraries and 4 mobile libraries in the new Auckland Council region, from Wellsford to Waiheke to Waiuku.
The amalgamation of libraries – known as the “My Card” project- makes it the largest library group in Australasia, giving Aucklanders access to around 3.5 million items, including CDs, DVDs, language collections and audio books as well as on-line information and databases.
As is the case currently, there will be no joining or membership fees for residents of the Auckland region. Loan periods for some items will increase from one to two weeks and there will be no charges on overdue items borrowed by children or teens.
Rodney libraries recently launched colourful new library cards which feature Rodney specific locations and heritage.
Both the new Rodney library cards and the old Rodney library cards held by most users will be able to used from 1 November at libraries across the Auckland region and entitle users to the benefits associated with being part of a regional library network.
Rodney Libraries Manager Marion Read says that in light of the upcoming transition the Council deliberately decided not to replace existing Rodney library cards with the new cards as this would create unnecessary cost.
Instead new Rodney library cards will be issued to new users who join the library. Existing users can ‘trade up’ their library card and replace it with a new one for a $1 fee if they wish to. This is not compulsory.
“The new library cards reflect Rodney’s identity and display our wonderful natural landscape,” Marion says. “They are something people will be able to keep using for a long time and when people use their card at other libraries everyone will be able to see what a beautiful place Rodney is because it will be illustrated on your library card,” she adds.