BOOK lovers can now browse through the Millicent Public Library in the comfort of their own home and at the touch of their fingertips.
Last year, Libraries South Australia launched a free app, which puts public libraries across the state in community members’ pockets.
Wattle Range Council libraries manager Janice Nitschke said the app moved the library into the next generation of digital and had been well received.
“The beauty of the library app is that you can download it onto your phone or tablet, so no matter where you are, you are in contact with the library,” Ms Nitschke said.
“What we are trying to promote is the click and collect philosophy.
“With the one-card app people can search the catalogue, or if they see a book they like in a store, they can scan the barcode and check if it is available at the library.
“Say you might be watching television or reading the paper and you see a book you think you might like to read … all you have to do is log in and search for it.
“It gives you a summary of the book and lets you know how many copies are available and where.
“People can select Millicent and find out if the book they are looking for is available here … then all they have to do is press place hold.
“A text message is sent to their device when the item they have reserved becomes available.
“Quite often in a week if we have not got it, it will be delivered here and you can then borrow and use it.”
Ms Nitschke said the library had been purchasing resources people had been ordering, particularly best-sellers.
“We are really keen to look at books that have been best-sellers or are spoken about on the radio,” she said.
“I think the real benefit is the ability to use technology and make it really quite transparent.
“The app downloads all of its user’s library information so they can bring it in and borrow with the app and not even need their card.
“That is cardless society.”
Working at the Millicent Public Library for over 50 years, Ms Nitschke has definitely watched the library evolve.
When she first started the library had yellow cards, which had a person’s name on it and was the borrower’s card.
The due date would be stamped on the book and then filed away at the end of every day.
“Now it is really quite seamless,” she said.
“You have your card electronically, we just wand and all of your books are entered electronically.
“We have smart stations now, which are used in the back work room and we can place five or six books on it and it will scan them all at once.
“This has been trialled over the next couple of months and will be moved out to the front counter in upcoming weeks.”
Millicent library uses the local Australia Post as its courier system and works alongside them to deliver and collect all holds and books.
The Libraries SA app can be used to search for ebooks, audiobooks, digital magazines and DVDS.
It also offers training resources and links to Trove and ancestry.com.
The app is available for download on Apple and Android smartphones and iPads from the device’s app or play store.
