The Hamilton Library has officially opened their new self-service check out today, while also announcing the commencement of an early literacy campaign aimed at tackling alarming adult illiteracy rates.
The self-service checkout is a touch screen device, which allows members to manage their accounts, check out new requests and renew those they haven’t finished with yet.
Shire CEO Michael Tudball said the new checkout will improve wait times for library customers. “35 per cent of the Shire’s population are active members of the Library Service. The self-check option will reduce the queue time for a customer who chooses that option, while still allowing those people who love to have a chat with our friendly staff while checking out their books the option to do so”.
Meanwhile, today also marked the launch of the Library’s ‘1000 Books before School’ Campaign. The program is the first state-wide program in Australia designed to work with families to promote early literacy skills and combat adult illiteracy in our communities.
The campaign calls for families to provide positive and nurturing early learning experiences by sharing stories with their children every day, with the aim of reading 1000 books before they begin school.
“It’s never too early to start reading with your children, and discover the joy it brings to all involved, including the parents and caregivers. Through early learning programs like this, we hope more people will be encouraged to visit the Library and reap the benefits of the support it offers in developing your children’s early literacy skills and a love for reading” Mr Tudball commented.
“The more a child is read to in their pre-school years, the better prepared they are when they start to learn how to read and write. We encourage all families to join the program at Hamilton Library or the Mobile Library and begin their reading journey with their children, and have lots of fun doing it,” Mr Tudball concluded.
The new program will complement the Hamilton Library’s existing early years reading and literacy programs such as The Let’s Read Program. Staff of the Hamilton Library will support reader and literacy development by providing families with a framework and incentives as children reach milestones on the way to 1000 books, to encourage a lifelong love of reading habit in our regions’ young people.
Parents and caregivers who wish to participate in the 1000 Books before School program can register at Hamilton and Mobile Library.