Media release

Thursday, 26 July 2012

Closure precedes Kōtui launch for ease of access to Upper Hutt City Library collections

Ease of access is driving the adoption of the Kōtui service which will provide integrated search of multiple media for Upper Hutt City Library users.

UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 26 JUL 2012—Upper Hutt City Council’s library service is about to make it easier for borrowers and researchers to access the content of their collections from 9 August. The adoption of the Kōtui service will culminate in a 2-day closure of service as the library migrates to the new system. The closure will begin at 7.00 pm on Monday 6 August with services reopening at 10.00 am on Thursday 9 August.

Upper Hutt City Library is the tenth public library to adopt Kōtui—a new shared service that provides participating New Zealand public libraries with an affordable, efficient system that helps manage their collections.

Upper Hutt City Library Manager, Debbie Duncan says Kōtui will make it possible to search most resources of the library, including books, e-books, DVDs, and magazines from a single access point (such as a computer or smart phone), from within the library or from home, school or business. The service will allow people to view the digital items online or put a hold on the print items they want to borrow.

“While it has taken some time and effort to prepare Upper Hutt City Library for our go-live date, we are excited by, and confident of, the benefits it will bring to both customers and staff,” says Mrs Duncan.

The new library service has been progressively rolled out in Marlborough, Taupo, New Plymouth, Nelson, Tasman, Waimakariri, Wanganui, Palmerston North, and Hurunui public libraries since September 2011. A total of 15 local authorities are expected to be using the service by the end of 2013.

According to the National Library, customers already using Kōtui are delighted with the service with patrons saying how much they love the new interface and having such a spread of information and materials at their fingertips.

The service is available to all New Zealand public libraries on a subscription basis from the National Library.

The concept and delivery of the Kōtui shared service is the result of collaboration between a group of public libraries, the Association of Public Library Managers (APLM), Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), and the National Library.

For more information on the Kōtui shared service, go to www.kotui.org.nz or contact Christine Seymour, Senior Communications Advisor (Archives New Zealand and National Library of New Zealand), on (04) 94 6086.

About Upper Hutt City Council

Upper Hutt City Council is the steward and custodian of Upper Hutt City, providing governance, infrastructure, and community services and resources, and promoting opportunity in the city for business, recreation, lifestyle, and leisure. Upper Hutt City is located 30 km north-east of Wellington City (41°07'34" S, 175°04'06" E) and boasts 70% of the region’s parks and reserves, along with state-of-the-art entertainment and leisure facilities.

Contact

For more information on Upper Hutt City and the City Council, go to www.upperhuttcity.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media