Digital Day at Central Library

7 August 2008

Prepare to be surprised. Christchurch City Libraries has a world of clickable information and resources available online, 24/7, and they want to help you get to know them better.

There are so many digital services available now that the library is holding a Digital Day on Saturday 23 August at the Central Library, to showcase the extensive range of digital goodies that the library now offers. The day will feature continuous presentations, rolling drop-in clinics with hands-on help from staff, and the chance to win a share of $1000 worth of shopping vouchers, just for heading online to explore the digital library.

Library customers will be able to get help to set up online access through their library card, enabling them to manage their library account online, place holds on items and access premium websites. Staff will also be on hand to help laptop users hook up to the library’s new free wireless internet service, available every day.

Digital Library Services Manager, Andrew Adams, says many people will be surprised by what the digital library has to offer. "Your library card gives you access to a huge range of digital services and resources, many of which are either unique to Christchurch City Libraries or only available free-of-charge through us. We offer a wealth of Christchurch and Canterbury content, including heritage resources, not available elsewhere, and we pay for subscriptions to many premium websites that our customers can then access free of charge. Four of our libraries - Central, South, New Brighton and Upper Riccarton libraries - now also have free wireless internet access, so you can surf the net free all day long. All in all, your library card opens up access to some of the best digital services of any public library in Australasia."

In addition to text from 35,000 electronic journals and newspapers, the digital library now includes cover-to-cover digital copies of 650 newspapers in 37 languages, available as they are published; thousands of online music tracks; and free access to premium sites including Ancestry.com and the Encyclopaedia Britannica. The library also offers LiveOnline, enabling librarians to offer online chat sessions, digitally hold your hand while working through your enquiry.

Access to the Digital library is available from your home or office 24/7 if you have a library card. Visit christchurchcitylibraries.com before 24 August and you can also be in to win a share of $1000 worth of shopping vouchers.

Christchurch City Libraries’ Digital Day in on Saturday 23 August 2008, from 10am to 4pm, at Central Library, 89 Gloucester St. Free admission.