“Shelf Life” episode featuring Merrylands Central Library

“Shelf Life” is a television show aired on TVS (Digital Channel 44) that explores what everyday people are reading.

Produced by the University of Western Sydney, Shelf Life delves into writing groups and the thoughts of both famous local authors and day to day readers. It showcases what’s on offer for Australians who are keen to put their bookmark to use.

Presented by Dr Milissa Deitz and Dr Rachel Morley from the UWS School of Communication Arts, Shelf Life explores unique book shops and visits libraries around Sydney.

(Source: www.tvs.org.au/programs/shelf-life)

Episode 7 of Series 1 (aired in 2010) featured Merrylands Central Library.

Holroyd City Council Library Service offers a warm, friendly and free Home Library Service to residents of the Holroyd area who are unable to personally visit the library and borrow items for themselves, either by reason of age, illness or disability.

If you like to read, listen to music, browse through magazines or watch DVDs then don’t miss out simply because you are not mobile or able to carry your selected library materials home.

To join just call the Special Needs Librarian on 9840 9919. An application form will be completed. You will need to provide some personal details, what and how much you’d like to borrow, and a delivery time. You will also need an original doctor’s certificate.

Information about the Library’s Home Library Service is available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Tamil and Vietnamese.

Items available for borrowing include:

• large print books
• normal fiction and non-fiction books
• talking books (cassette and CDs)
• CDs
• magazines
• DVDs
• CD-ROMs

Bulk loans are also available to institutions such as nursing homes, retirement villages, aged care centres and senior citizens’ clubs in the Holroyd area.

The Special Needs Librarian can organise the selection and delivery of library items to you every month. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in the Home Library Service, please contact the Special Needs Librarian on 9840 9919.

Volunteers

The Home Library Service relies upon the valuable assistance of volunteers who donate their time to select and deliver library items to individual Home Library borrowers.

Home Library Service volunteers are invited to attend quarterly afternoon tea sessions. These afternoons provide an informal and relaxed environment where Home Library volunteers and the Special Needs Librarian can exchange information.

If you would like more information on joining the Home Library Service or if you have a small amount of spare time and are interested in helping a well-utilised and much needed service, you may telephone 9840 9919 or ask to see the Special Needs Librarian at Merrylands Central Library.

An inter-library loan ( ILL) is a way of obtaining material that may not be available at Holroyd City Library.

Materials can usually be obtained within two weeks (subject to availability).

Please be aware that requests for more specialised or difficult to locate materials can take longer.

You can request an ILL over the phone, in person, or through the Library’s catalogue.

If you’d like to find the location of books yourself, try searching Trove. Trove gives you access to library holdings across Australia.

To place an ILL request or a suggestion for purchase, you must be a library member.

What will it cost?

Most ILLs are free of charge, however charges may apply to materials acquired from institutions outside the public library network. We will inform you of any applicable fees or charge.

For enquiries, please contact Information Services on 9840 9923 or library@holroyd.nsw.gov.au.

Holroyd Library has special services available for people who speak languages other than English.

Non-English Language Collection

There is a range of resources in Arabic, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Persian, Tamil and Vietnamese available at all libraries, including books, magazines, DVDs and CDs.

You can borrow an unlimited number of books and up to 10 magazines, 5 CDs and 10 DVDs at a time for four weeks (except DVDs which must be returned after two weeks). Before they are due you can renew your items providing they are not overdue or on reserve for another borrower.

Library staff can help you borrow a box of books from the State Library in one of more than 40 languages. You may place a request for books in your language by completing a form at any of the three libraries.

Books normally take about three weeks to arrive and you can collect them at your nearest library. You may borrow a total of five items, for a period of four weeks. Renewals are allowed, providing the items are not due for return to the State Library, overdue or reserved for another borrower.

Newspapers

Newspapers are available in a number of non-English languages at Merrylands Central Library. Languages available include Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Maltese, Italian, Persian, Turkish and Spanish.

These are not for loan and are for use inside Merrylands Library only.

Basic English Collection

This collection consists of books, kits, DVDs and readers in basic, intermediate and advanced levels for adults who are learning to speak, read and write English. There are also kits available to practice English exams. Kits include workbooks and CDs.

Resources are also available for English language tutors. Most Basic English and literacy items may be borrowed for 4 weeks and may be renewed for a further 4 weeks, providing the items are not overdue or on reserve for another borrower. You may borrow as many Basic English and literacy items as you wish.

Basic English DVDs are available for a 2 week loan period and may also be renewed, providing the DVD is not overdue or on reserve.

English Conversation Classes

The Library offers free English conversation classes on a weekly basis, during school term, at Merrylands Central Library.

These classes are aimed at persons from a non-English speaking background who wish to improve and develop their English language skills. There is no cost and bookings are not required.

Classes are held at Merrylands Central Library at the following times:

• Monday 2pm – 4pm
• Tuesday 10am – 12 noon
• Wednesday 10am –12 noon
• Wednesday 6pm – 8pm
• Thursday 10am – 12 noon
• Friday 10am – 12 noon

Online language resources

Holroyd City Library now offers online language resources for all Library members. These resources will help you improve your English skills or learn a new language.

Road to IELTS

• General Training
• Academic

Road to IELTS is a preparation and practice course aimed at IELTS candidates, but also useful for those preparing for other higher level English language exams.

The program is organised thematically around 12 themes which are commonly used in the IELTS exam with 5-6 learning areas for each topic.

You can access Road to IELTS in the Library and at home.

Issues in English 2

Tailored for adult learners aged 12 and over. This program is based around 8 topical issues of high interest to adults. This is a highly integrated program where the vocabulary and concepts are used in many different ways and contexts. Students will learn communication skills for daily life.

Mango Languages
Mango is an online language learning system that can help you learn basic English. It has English lessons for native speakers of Arabic (Egyptian), Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korea, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Latin America), Turkish and Vietnamese.

Other Services

Information on other services that Holroyd Library provides is available in other languages.

• Arabic - Library Services
• Arabic - Storytime
• Arabic - Toy Library
• Chinese - Library Services
• Chinese - Home Library
• Chinese - Storytime
• Chinese - Toy Library
• Tamil - Library Services
• Tamil - Home Library
• Tamil - Storytime
• Tamil - Toy Library
• Vietnamese - Library Services
• Vietnamese - Home Library
• Vietnamese - Storytime
• Vietnamese - Toy Library

Reference resources include books, online databases, dictionaries, ABS material, encyclopedias, atlases and more.

Trained reference staff are on hand to assist at all times during opening hours.

Services -

Ask the librarian - if you’re having trouble finding the information you’re after, ask the librarian. Simply fill out an Information Request form in the Library catalogue.

eResources

The Library subscribes to a range of online databases that you can use for free in the Library and at home.

Drug info@your library

Web resources and public library collections selected by specialist staff at the State Library of New South Wales, in consultation with experts in the field.

Family history and local history

Guides prepared by our Local Studies Librarians to help you research your family tree or the local area.

Find Legal Answers

The Find Legal Answers web guide provides access to current information about the law in NSW. The guide lists useful resources, organised by topic, that are available on the web and in print.

Higher School Certificate collections

The HSC collection is available at Merrylands Central Library and Wentworthville Branch Library. These items can be used in the Library only.

Newspapers

List of newspapers available at all Library branches.

Web resources

For more information and to find out about the latest additions to the Library’s reference and information collections, go to the Information Services blog.

Wireless internet

Free wireless internet is available at all Library branches. Limited to 5 hours or 500MB per day per person, whichever limit is reached first.

Computer Booking

Bookings can be made in the Library or at Home using the online self-booking system. No bookings can be taken over the phone.

For help making a booking, please read our Public Computer Reservation Guide.

Library members are entitled to three hours of computer use per day.

Use of the Public Computer Centre is subject to the Public Computer Centre Conditions of Use.

Photocopying and Printing

Photocopying and printing is available in black/white and colour at all three libraries.

All copiers provide both A3 and A4 sized copies.

You cannot make transparencies with any of the photocopiers.

Should you require assistance with your photocopying or printing, Library staff will be more than happy to help.

Binding, Laminating and Microfilm at Merrylands Library

Documents can be bound and pages laminated for a small fee at Merrylands Library.

Laminating sizes range from credit card size to A2.

A microfilm reader/printer is available. A small charge applies for printed copies.

Free Computer Classes – May 2013

English-Cantonese Introduction to Computers

• Learn the basics of using a computer
• For Cantonese speakers who have never used a computer before
• Tuesday 7 May, 9:30am to 11:30am

Introduction to Computers

• Learn the basic of using a computer
• This course is designed for adults with no previous computer experience
• Wednesday 15 May, 9:30am to 11:30am

Introduction to Email

• Create your own web email account and learn the skills for everyday emailing
• Participants must be able to use the Internet
• Monday 27 May, 9:30am to 11:30am

For enquires and bookings, please see Merrylands Library staff or phone 9840 9960 Monday to Friday between 9:30am to 5:00pm.

Note: Minimum numbers are required for classes to proceed.

Learn Computing Online

Simple online training solutions for teaching you how to use popular computer applications.

Current training includes -

• Introduction to Computer Technology
• Using and searching the Internet
• Microsoft Office 2007
• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Setting up an email account