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FREE City of Sydney Library Membership Was $15

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FREE City of Sydney Library Membership Was $15
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AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 10:51 cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au (3027 clicks)
Last edited 29/08/2014 - 13:48 by 1 other user

Free for all NSW residents, membership to the City of Sydney library. Was previously $15 for one year.
Now as a member, when you sign up you get free membership for 3 years!

Why would I become a member?

Latest DVD's - can borrow for 3 weeks, and if you return them late a day, only 30c fine, unlike the DVD rental places where you can pay up to $7

Latest music CD's

Ancestry.com free to use ALL THE TIME
Building Codes Australia free to use ALL THE TIME
Choice magazine again free!
Only caveat is you use them at the library

Also some at home databases once you are a member http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/libraries/elibrar…
these are especially good if you are a student - good journal articles for essays

Join here
http://library.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/opac/JoinWiz.aspx

and pickup your card at one of the staffed branches (Pyrmont & Town Hall are not staffed)

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/libraries/branche…

Also free Wifi in all the branches with 500mb limit per device per day

Other Library

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closed Comments

  • Usemame on 29/08/2014 - 10:58
    +3

    I took it for granted when I joined 4 free about 4-5 months ago. When exactly did it become free?

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 10:59
      +2

      Actually became free this financial year 1st July

        • alan77 on 29/08/2014 - 19:11
          +4

          Not all announcements are bargains might be closer to the mark.

        • HN Professional on 30/08/2014 - 05:17

          I used to join up every year ranging from $11-$15, so this is a good Public Service Announcement for those of us living outside the boundaries of the City of Sydney who were not aware of the policy change.

  • furythree on 29/08/2014 - 11:06
    +2

    im amazed libraries are able to stay relevant with quite a decent list of useful resources

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 11:16
      +29

      We need to be.. We actually got a 3D printer in that the public will be able to use, we are ironing out the procedures and developing staff training, but it should be be in place at the Surry Hills branch for public use late Sept / early Oct

      • mafmouf on 29/08/2014 - 11:39

        Need staff?

      • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 12:03
        +3

        Follow us on facebook for updates on the 3D printer and other free events at the library

        https://www.facebook.com/coslibraries

      • phobaphobic on 29/08/2014 - 14:41
        +1

        That's awesome! Obviously you'd be charging per print?

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 15:10
          +4

          $5 per print, and 10c a gram
          specifics are not in writing yet, but thats my understanding

        • mafmouf on 01/09/2014 - 08:29

          @Robydc: Out of curiosity, which printer do you use?

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 01/09/2014 - 09:40
          +1

          @mafmouf:
          Makerbot replicator 2
          http://store.makerbot.com/replicator2.html

          Easy to use and works right out of the box!

    • adamren on 29/08/2014 - 16:21
      +2

      They do ebooks now, don't even have to go in, just log on.

  • kingmw on 29/08/2014 - 11:22
    +1

    Rep, does the city of sydney library membership include access to Zinio and/or Pressdisplay/Pressreader?

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 11:35
      +6

      This is something we will be getting in the very near future - Zinio contract is being written up, so we need management to approve and sign off before this goes ahead

      • homersyd on 29/08/2014 - 12:28
        +1

        you need try to get Zinio to include API (Australian Property Investor) again… :)

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 12:33
          +6

          It is something we can ask for when we sign the contract - thanks for the suggestion!

        • grab_ur_freebies on 29/08/2014 - 22:37

          @Robydc:

          getting in the very near future

          Any ETA of availability within next 3-4mths before '15?

          Are you going to have the largest collection in NSW, even bigger than the South Sydney one (which currently has 21pgs)?

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 30/08/2014 - 15:37

          @grab_ur_freebies:

          I dont have much in the details at this stage as it is being headed up by our contracts specialist.
          ETA I envisage would be before Christmas and as for collection it would supplement what we have already. Best thing would be to suggest titles at the branches, via email or Facebook page, that way we get a feel for what the public want

  • nkahoang on 29/08/2014 - 11:26

    Hi, I'm in Victoria and can I register a membership (so that I can use Online access features?)

    • undercut on 29/08/2014 - 11:29

      Library membership fees apply if you live interstate or overseas.

      • jv on 29/08/2014 - 11:52
        -2

        Do they come around and check where you live ?

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 11:54

          When you pickup your card they will check your ID.. best we can do :)

        • shmahoo on 23/09/2014 - 14:39

          I think they might make a broad judgment on you by your accent!

  • shaiguy on 29/08/2014 - 11:32

    Well done Sydney City library. Understand that the Haymarket library has the largest selection of Chinese materials for any Australian public library. My suggestion would just be to increase the kids' Chinese section.

    • jv on 29/08/2014 - 11:53
      +7

      My suggestion would just be to increase the kids' Chinese section.

      That's not going to help people of other Nationalities…

      • cheapbloke on 29/08/2014 - 12:05

        I would be interested as my daughter goes to Mandarin classes on Saturdays. Just make it bilingual as I don't speak the language.

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 12:35

          We have a small collection of bilingual Chinese / English books, if there is a call for more, then we could always get them in

      • gummibear on 29/08/2014 - 13:50
        +1

        People of any nationality could benefit if they were interested in reading Chinese.

        • cheng2008 on 29/08/2014 - 16:22

          True, mandarin seems to be a pretty hot language right now to learn as a second or third language, even among people who aren't Chinese.

        • jv on 29/08/2014 - 18:48
          -7

          People of any nationality could benefit if they were interested in reading Chinese.

          Same could be said for just about any other language.

          I don't see why they should just pick one and discriminate against the others…

        • gummibear on 29/08/2014 - 21:42
          +5

          @jv:
          Haymarket Sydney is right next to China town and therefore has a high Chinese population.

          If you can't see why they would do that, perhaps you could ask them yourself for your own enlightenment.

        • heatseeker424 on 30/08/2014 - 00:35
          +1

          @gummibear:
          jv is from Victoria so there's no way he should know that, however there's also no reason for him to be even commenting here.

        • Baysew on 30/08/2014 - 08:46
          +1

          however there's also no reason for him to be even commenting here.

          Well some may say (or wish) there's is no reason for JV to comment anywhere on OzBargain,but the fact is JV comments everywhere.

        • lplau on 02/09/2014 - 21:01

          @heatseeker424: Lol im from victoria and I know Haymarket is china town.

      • cwongtech on 29/08/2014 - 12:30
        +17

        They already know English. Chinese would be their second language (for children) since they grow up learning English. Knowing multiple languages is an advantage. Do you think Kevin Rudd doesn't call Australia home?

      • uder on 29/08/2014 - 12:52
        +3

        Hey "pal", perhaps having a multilingual next generation is a wise investment? Down-voting your comment for pure redneck jingoism.

        • ChickenTalon on 29/08/2014 - 13:06
          +7

          Aside from the fact that English has only been in Australia a couple of hundred years.

          "pal" is probably not the type of person you'd want to learn English from either.

        • cheng2008 on 29/08/2014 - 16:23

          @ChickenTalon: Haha maybe pal secretly wants these books for himself so he can go back and learn English properly :p

      • gimli on 29/08/2014 - 18:45
        +2

        Nice try Clive palmer

  • PVA on 29/08/2014 - 11:33
    +11

    I thought Libraries were free any way? The Gold Coast ones are great, have all the services you mention above (maybe not a 3d printer), never been a charge to use them.

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 11:38
      +3

      You pay for your library memberships through your council rates, get the best value for your $ and join your local library because essentially you have (already) paid for it. Just a service people need to take advantage of…

      • PVA on 29/08/2014 - 16:04
        +1

        I realise that I pay as part of my rates but so do the property owners for your area too don't they?
        It's good that you are now free, just didn't realise any libraries in Australia had membership fees.

        Libraries are great, I just dontthink a lot of people realise that they are more than dusty old books nowadays.

        • sachz on 29/08/2014 - 17:02

          i have to agree, all my life, and thats over 40+ years ive always assumed my library use was free…. that of my kids too, to hear that it was not-free is a shock to me.

    • Kaibosh on 29/08/2014 - 12:36
      +2

      I'm with you - Until now, I've never seen a government library ever charge members directly for membership.
      I'm in Melbourne and have memberships at multiple different libraries that give me a load of stuff, especially "eResources" (Ancestry and the like from within the library, Zinio, pressdisplay, and a squillion other resources that I can access from home), and have never paid a cent.

      Mind you, the 3d printer would be nice.

      • DarwinBoy on 29/08/2014 - 14:27

        i think the victorian government years ago made it a condition that they be free as they were supplying part of the funding.

  • cminez on 29/08/2014 - 11:54
    +3

    Well done sir! I found 3D printing workshop available for free at Custom House library. It is started tomorrow from 2 to 4 pm. Event details are found in https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/3d-printing-workshops-ticket…

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 11:55

      yep, the lovely Tanija will be helping out, say hi

    • MasterNoob on 29/08/2014 - 12:23
      +1

      3D printer creates 3D printer… profit?!?!?!

      • ChickenTalon on 29/08/2014 - 12:53
        +2

        more like 3D printer creates 3D printer ink… then you can profit.

        Like regular printers, often the money is in the ink (filament)

      • fickre on 08/09/2014 - 07:26

        Printception.

  • CyberMurning on 29/08/2014 - 12:03

    what happen after 3 years?

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 12:05

      Just renew again!
      We use it as a way of cleaning up the database for those that dont end up using their memberships

      • CyberMurning on 29/08/2014 - 12:07

        oh so this is free for life! cool!
        Rob, i actually have membership already (lived in city before) now the membership still active but i have moved outside cbd, should i report my change of address and then reapply with this offer?
        i tried apply online but system found me already on database.

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 12:17
          +1

          Sure! change of address should be updated.
          Any other details like mobile ph or email come in handy

          You can call us to update your details
          02 9242 8555

          Reservation of books are free too, so if a book you have placed a hold on comes in, we can sms you!

          Also if your items are due to be returned, we email you 4 days before they are due, so you can return them or renew and wont be fined.

  • rabkoa on 29/08/2014 - 12:18
    +1

    Great deal! More extensive collection than local lib.
    Paid $15 few years ago.

  • akte on 29/08/2014 - 12:26
    +1

    Tried to apply online, but it could not find my address.

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 12:39

      Might need to come into the branch - our address database needs an upgrade, so some street names don't appear

      • I'll let the Systems Admin know
      • StewBalls on 29/08/2014 - 16:45

        I'll let the Systems Admin know

        Please do, I'm in the same boat…

  • sleet on 29/08/2014 - 13:03

    Fantastic. I'll be joining up. Thanks OP

  • cam501 on 29/08/2014 - 13:53

    Hi store rep - what's "Building Codes Australia" as mentioned in your post?

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 15:13

      Building codes
      all the construction laws when building

      From the site http://www.abcb.gov.au/
      - The Australian Building Codes Board addresses issues relating to safety, health, amenity and sustainability in the design and performance of buildings through the National Construction Code (NCC) Series, and the development of effective regulatory systems and appropriate non-regulatory solutions

      Oh and we have free access to Standards Australia too

      • peter_mcc on 30/08/2014 - 07:33

        Is that any different to most NSW libraries?
        Lane Cove has Standards Australia access - but last time I tried to use it I found it was pretty useless. It was like they were giving free access because they had to - not because they wanted to. You could only look at standards one PDF page at a time (then it had to download the next page) so it was really slow & painful. Is your Standards Australia access the same?

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 30/08/2014 - 15:39

          I will have to try it and find out. I know that I was able to download the full documents, but it could have been through my uni databases. I have a feeling that the public libraries get identical access so it could be as you said, a page at a time.

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 02/09/2014 - 09:27

          @peter_mcc I have just checked, and yes it is the same. Painful indeed.
          Must be a public library agreement to show the standards in this format. Stops people downloading and sharing the entire standard i suppose, but what a pain.

          I can confirm that university libraries have different agreements, you can get the full standard as a pdf.

          Sorry doesnt help you much

  • BuyNow Think Later on 29/08/2014 - 14:03

    Hi, Robydc, can my library card be sent to my NSW address?

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 15:14

      Unfortunately not - One of the policies is you need to attend a library in person with valid ID (Proof of NSW address) to join / pickup your card, which needs to be sighted by a staff member

      • BuyNow Think Later on 29/08/2014 - 16:10

        Hi, Robydc, when I attend any library branch, will my library card be printed on the spot? I don't recall I have nominated a library branch to collect my library card.

        • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 16:23

          Yep, they will give you one on the spot, just dont forget your ID / proof of address

  • pf666333 on 29/08/2014 - 14:06
    -4

    ha have to pay to join a library ,is this private bussiness or a public library

    • CyberMurning on 29/08/2014 - 14:12

      come on, at least they have good facilities and clean place, plus it is free for local residents.

  • bg on 29/08/2014 - 14:53
    +1

    I also wrongly assumed public libraries were free, in Melbourne can easily join multiple council libraries for free. Bayside council has amazing service for reservations. Travelling overseas, I was amazed that UK libraries and US libraries allowed membership and book borrowing without local ID. Pleased to see City of Sydney now offering it free. Libraries should always be relevant as long as they keep up to date with the public needs.

  • love2buy on 29/08/2014 - 15:07

    Are video games available to play or borrow? Local library at maroubra does.

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 29/08/2014 - 15:19
      +1

      No games unfortunately - I would love a collection started here but what would you provide?

      Too open for arguments
      You provide Xbox One games, and where are the PS4 ones? Vice versa.. and why not PS3 or 360 games etc?

      All or nothing I say, but gotta convince management that it is a worthy of cost to start a collection

      • adamren on 29/08/2014 - 16:40
        +3

        I'd be wary of that. The first time I reserved a DVD (Pitch Perfect ;-p must have missed it at the cinemas or heard reviews after it was released on DVD) so I reserved it as soon as it came through on my E-Mail alerts for new orders (WA, large town North Of River, say 50,000 members?) and it already had over 30 reserves! The highest I'd seen, especially after a day or so. But they had 4 or 5 copies. So somehow I got it by 4th or 5th use.

        Went to watch it and halfway through it froze. Damn thing was scratched or something. Tried cleaning it to no affect. So never bothered with popular DVDs again.

        I can just imagine this happening much sooner with games. Kids not taking care of it because they don't own it. The damage policy needs to be enforced properly. Each DVD (and game) needs to be tested after it is returned. Tedious I know, but there must be a machine. I'm sure there is software for CDs and DVDs.

        I've borrowed audiobooks that were filthy, had to clean them before using them. It's nuts. Really opens your eyes to humanity and how selfish people are ;-p

      • neil aus on 29/08/2014 - 21:31

        I'd recommend PS3, wii and xbox360 games, as lots of people have those consoles. The new gen versions in a year or so. Most of those games could be donated or found online for next to nothing now too.

        • adamren on 30/08/2014 - 00:52
          +2

          Yeah, I don't play games but I find it odd that kids get an expensive console and then don't want to pay for games. The game shops have second hand and trade ins, so not much excuse.

          For a library to carry video games would be a huge waste of ratepayers money. Doubt the game shops would like the loss of business. Then again you need the darn CD to play the games, so you can't really borrow them. Unless they copy them of course ;-p

        • neil aus on 01/09/2014 - 00:26

          @adamren: Books cost money too, so do DVDs, I can see your point of view, but if you had kids that wanted to play games and the library had them, your point of view may change. Also, donating old games that lots of kids have and no longer use, is of no cost. Please bear in mind, a library is not about saving money, its about providing services to its members.

    • PVA on 29/08/2014 - 15:59
      +1

      Gold coast library has video games , pc only though.

  • upeed on 29/08/2014 - 18:57
    +1

    Melbourne city library has PS3 and Xbox 360 games

  • turnthestaticup on 29/08/2014 - 21:24

    Is the free membership open to anyone in NSW or just residents on Sydney City Council?

    I live in Newcastle but would like to sign up for a free membership to access the electronic resources.

    • neil aus on 29/08/2014 - 22:10

      I think there is a free online membership option for a long time now.

    • sydshopper on 29/08/2014 - 22:11

      Seems to be any one in NSW. I am from an outer suburb but work in the CBD and was able to register with my home address.

  • neil aus on 29/08/2014 - 22:09

    Is the online membership compatible with overdrive media console? Any special app needed to use the ebooks or audio books?

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 30/08/2014 - 15:42
      +1

      We don't have the overdrive eBook platform. At this point we have EBL, but are looking at our own platform, hopefully towards the end of the year.

      • neil aus on 01/09/2014 - 00:32

        Thanks for the reply, I tried to browse the ebooks that you have, to be honest it was way to hard and I couldn't find basic categories, like fiction, non-fiction, audiobooks and so on. I hope you do find some easy to use platform soon. Any idea why no library in Sydney uses the kindle format for ebooks? My kindle is gathering dust!

        I always think libraries would have way more loans and members if they had a Netflix style app, recommended books, DVDs, based on previous and trending loans. I hope the new platform is a good one, best of luck.

  • fujay on 30/08/2014 - 11:17

    I was a member a few years ago before moved out of the city area, might still have the library card. Should I still re-apply and get a new card? Love to jump on the online resources..

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 30/08/2014 - 15:41

      You may still be in the database, if you apply online and it says you are a member, all you have to do is come into a branch with some ID and we will supply you with a new card.

      • fujay on 30/08/2014 - 16:57

        Great, thank you! Will drop in a branch to check.

  • nfr on 10/09/2014 - 14:30

    I had a libray card 10 years ago. So Town Hall library is no longer staffed?

    • AssociatedRobydc @ City of Sydney on 14/09/2014 - 20:10

      @nfr
      Town Hall is no longer staffed. They relocated the collections to Customs House and opened up a Town Hall express where you could pickup reserved items and return your loans via a self check machine back in 2005.

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