On the outside Westport Library has not changed much since it was first constructed in St Mary’s Crescent 40 years ago but there have been massive changes to the range and scope of services available inside and online.
The latest improvement has been the introduction of a new computer system and delivery system which now allows borrowers to request books from 11 additional county library services and this service is now free following the decision to abolish both request fees and membership fees.
This means it has never been easier to search for and request items, such as books, DVDs and CDs, from the new multi-library catalogue. You can now request up to 12 items and these searches and requests can be done from the comfort of your own home using your online membership details. This service is available 24/7 on mayolibrary.ie The amount of items that can be borrowed has also been increased from 8 to 12 items to allow borrowers greater access to the enlarged catalogue of stock.
Borrowers are also now sent email reminders warning them to return items before they incur a fine and the fines system has been overhauled so that any item overdue is now charged at a flat fee of 5c per item per day and items can be renewed online, over the phone, in person or by email.
Another benefit of the new computer system is that you can borrow books from Mayo and return them in any of the 11 other counties linked to Mayo’s system. It also means that borrowers from Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow can borrow books in Mayo and vice versa. Again books can be returned to any of these libraries by any borrowers from any of these library services.
There have also been big changes online with the introduction of a range of new services among them a huge online catalogue of E-books and E-audiobooks for devices ranging from Tablets and laptops to smart phones. Thousands of these items are available to download and enjoy by using the free BorrowBox App in conjunction with your online membership details.
You can also access online copies of magazines such as National Geographic, New Scientist, The New Yorker, Top Sante, The Economist, Forbes and Newsweek being among the 50 others via the links on mayolibrary.ie Also available online are up to date issues of international, national and local newspapers, again accessed using your library online membership.
And as if that wasn’t enough you can now learn a new skill online thanks to the roll out of the Universal Class online which allows you to complete courses in hundreds of different subjects from Computer skills to Animal skills at your own pace and all online with a course instructor for each class.
There are also 70 language courses available to you via Mango Languages so if you want to polish up on your Spanish for your holidays or learn a new language this is the course for you.
All of these courses and resources are available free as part of your free membership of the library service.
So while it looks like has changed on the outside of your local library inside and online there have been huge changes and there are more to come.
There has never been a better time to become a library member and all you need to do is pop in with some proof of your identity and proof of your address and explore what your local library has to offer you.