Access to libraries online catalogue even easier

Library members can now reserve a book from virtually anywhere, thanks to a new online catalogue tool.

It means people with mobile phones with WAP or a personal digital assistant (PDA) can do everything from searching to putting a book on hold from wherever they are.

The eLGAR (Libraries for a Great Auckland Region) initiative, which North Shore Libraries played a key role in, goes live at all seven local libraries, including the mobile library, on October 12.

North Shore library services manager and eLGAR chairman, Geoff Chamberlain, says the new tool is in response to the changing way people use libraries.

"Remote use of our libraries is one of the fastest growth areas in our service," he says.

"With a mobile phone or PDA it doesn't matter if people are in Invercargill on holiday or on a bus on the way home from work, they can still use the library."

To celebrate the launch of the new tool, libraries across the Auckland region are running a competition that give customers the opportunity to win a Telecom T3G Blade phone. To enter, they need to visit the North Shore Libraries website for an online tour.

To find out more, please visit www.shorelibraries.govt.nz.

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