Central Coast Council Libraries have further streamlined services across their branches, with borrowing periods aligning as of Monday 15 May 2017.

Residents will now be able to borrow a book, magazine or DVD for the same amount of time from any of the 13 branches across the Central Coast.

Group Leader of Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the decision came following extensive community consultation.

“We currently have two library systems in place with two different sets of borrowing periods,” Ms Vaughan said.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to work with the community to ensure our new borrowing periods reflect the needs and expectations of our library members.

“This is another milestone on the journey to streamlining the entire Central Coast Library Service.”

In addition to the alignment of borrowing periods, Council has also streamlined fees across its branches and will be moving to an integrated management system in the new financial year.

Ms Vaughan added that the new system will allow residents to check the catalogue, borrow, reserve and return items at any branch.

“Our 70,000 library members will soon have access to a greater range of resources and be able to use all of our library services using the one card,” said Ms Vaughan.

“This is a great result for our members and will promote connectivity across all of our branches while ultimately, making it easier for everyone to interact with our library service.”

Central Coast Council’s new borrowing periods, as of Monday 15 May 2017:

• Magazines and Fast Reads – One week
• All other items – Three weeks

Fast Reads are a system in which popular titles are ordered in bulk and made available to library members for one week only.

Central Coast Council’s Library Service has branches at Bateau Bay, Erina, Gosford, Gwandalan, Kariong, Kincumber, Lake Haven, Mooney Mooney, The Entrance, Toukley, Tuggerah, Woy Woy, and Umina Beach.

For more information on the new borrowing periods or any library services visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au  to find your nearest branch.