Fairfield City has launched a program dedicated to diversifying and innovating the municipality’s libraries.
The Open Libraries program aims to cater to Fairfield’s culturally diverse community, offering online access to more than 4000 international newspapers and magazines in over 60 languages.
Fairfield City Mayor, Frank Carbone, said the program aims to be as inclusive as possible.
“We recognise the importance of providing information and resources in multiple languages.
“Libraries are no longer known for being a quiet place where you borrow books and go to study.
“Our libraries are vibrant welcoming social hubs for the whole community to use, that encourages lifelong learning as well as improved technology.
“Through these revitalised services, our libraries contribute invaluably and create a sense of belonging and community for the residents of Fairfield City.”
Digital access to a wide range of authors and titles has also been introduced with the 3M Cloud Library, technology that is unique in its flexible, easy-to-use lending system, enhancing the eBook borrowing services currently available in Australia.
“The community will experience improved borrowing services where they can access and borrow library eBooks from the comfort of their lounge room, office or on-the-go,” Mayor Carbone said.
Discovery Terminals, available at all Fairfield libraries, will give customers a seamless browsing experience to its digital collection, as well as normal borrowing services such as check out, holding, and returning eBooks.
Mayor Carbone and Fairfield Councillors, alongside the Fairfield library’s oldest member, 105-year-old Ted Wale, officially unveiled the Discovery Terminals at a launch in August.
At the launch, Mayor Carbone said Council is focused on promoting
new technologies.
“The 3M Cloud Library is a downloadable application that integrates with the eBook library catalogue available on the Discovery Terminals and offers the capability of borrowing services for eBooks from the app itself.
“Libraries are now the place for communities to interact with and learn about new technologies.
“Our libraries are a pathway for a better future for young and old generations.
“Their facilities open doors for better opportunities. We need to ensure we not only provide the traditional facilities our residents are used to, but to also provide the ability to meet changing needs, so we can interact and engage on any issue, with anyone and at any time.”
