Sutherland Shire Libraries

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File:Engadine Library.jpg

There are nine (one under construction) branches in the Sutherland Shire Libraries system, named after the suburbs in which they are located.{{cite web|title=Libraries|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Libraries|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=30 May 2017}}

• Sutherland (Officially the Athol Hill MBE Memorial Library){{cite news|last1=Gainsford|first1=Jim|title=Lyn Barakat's dedication put shire libraries on top shelf|url=https://www.theleader.com/story/3338322/lyn-barakats-dedication-put-shire-libraries-on-top-shelf/|work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=13 September 2015|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/government---local/display/106010-athol-hill-mbe|title=Athol Hill MBE|last=Design|first=UBC Web|website=Monument Australia|language=en|access-date=2017-07-03}}
• Cronulla
• Caringbah
• Miranda
• Sylvania (Located within Southgate Shopping Centre){{cite web|title=Sylvania Library|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Libraries/Sylvania-Library|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|date=9 February 2024 }}
• Menai
• Engadine
• Bundeena (Located within Bundeena Public School, open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays){{cite web|title=Bundeena Library|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Libraries/Bundeena-Library|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|date=24 January 2024 }}
• Kirrawee (Under Construction, Located in South Village Shopping Centre)

Sutherland Shire Libraries had a total stock of 372,518 items as of June 2015, and 367,049 as of June 2016.http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2015_16statistics.pdf p. 33 The main community language collections are held at Sutherland, Menai and Sylvania libraries, covering Arabic, Chinese, Greek and Russian.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/Multicultural-Communities/Community-Language-Materials|title=Community Language Materials|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} As of June 2015, adult fiction was 24.73% of the total library collection.{{cite web|last1=Morrison|first1=Kathy|title=PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS 2014–15 PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES IN NEW SOUTH WALES|url=http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014_15statistics.pdf|publisher=State Library of NSW|access-date=21 May 2017|page=66}}

Sutherland Shire Libraries offers several different platforms for audiobooks and eBooks.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Digital-Collections/Encyclopedias-Reference-Books|title=Encyclopedias & Reference Books|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Digital-Collections/Audiobooks-eBooks|title=Audiobooks & eBooks|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} It offers free music MP3 downloads from Sony Music,{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Digital-Collections/Freegal-Free-Music-Downloads|title=Freegal - Free Music Downloads|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} Kanopy on-demand video streaming,{{cite news |title=Kanopy Streaming Video |url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Digital-Collections/Kanopy-Streaming-Video |access-date=22 July 2018 |work=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries}} access to LinkedIn Learning,{{cite web |title=LinkedIn Learning {{!}} Online Training |url=https://cms.ssc.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Digital-Collections/LinkedIn-Learning-Online-Training |website=Sutherland Shire Libraries |access-date=26 November 2023}} and a number of research databases, mostly available online with a library card.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Digital-Collections/Research-Databases|title=Research Databases|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} Sutherland Shire Libraries also offer Encyclopædia Britannica, Consumer Health Complete, information about health for the general public, Gale Virtual Reference Library, Infobase ebooks, Salem Press biographies, and the Standards Australia building standards in-library.

Sutherland Shire Libraries maintains a collection development policy,{{cite web|title=Library Collection Management Strategy Sutherland Shire Council|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/document-library/corporate-management/policies/policy-collection-management-strategy.pdf|access-date=30 May 2017}} and a local studies collection policy.{{cite web|title=Local Studies Collection Development Policy Sutherland Shire Council|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/document-library/corporate-management/policies/policy-local-studies-collection-development.pdf|access-date=30 May 2017}}

In the Local Studies collection, several historical photographs have been digitised and put online.{{cite web|url=http://www.photosau.com.au/sutherlandhist/scripts/home.asp|title=Picture Sutherland Shire|website=Sutherland Shire Council|access-date=3 July 2017}}{{cite web |title=Local History – Sutherland Shire Libraries |url=https://localhistory.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/ |website=localhistory.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au |access-date=29 February 2020}} It keeps a historical newspaper index dating back to 1900.{{cite web|title=Local Newspapers|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Local-Studies/Local-Newspapers|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=30 May 2017}} Several oral histories with early residents of the area have been recorded and transcribed on the website, released under a Creative Commons license.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Local-Studies/Oral-Histories|title=Oral Histories|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} Historical studies, videos, and pathfinders are available on local topics.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Local-Studies/Historical-Studies-Pathfinders|title=Historical Studies & Pathfinders|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}}

File:"Wrap with Love" blanket.jpg knitting club display at Engadine Library.]]

The library offers reader's advisory services, book clubs, author talks, and interlibrary loans.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/Books-Reading|title=Books & Reading|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://95.154.230.253/ip-1/encoded/Oi8vd3d3Lm5sYS5nb3YuYXUvYXBwcy9pbHJzP2FjdGlvbj1JbHJzU2VhcmNoJm9yZ2lkPTgxMDI%3D&f=frame|title=Sutherland Shire Libraries|website=Australian Interlibrary Resource Sharing Directory|access-date=3 July 2017}} Storytimes are available for young children, and the library supports the Premier's Reading Challenge. The library runs activities for Children's Book Week in August, and coding and robotics workshops are offered for children. LEGO construction clubs are offered in Sylvania and Engadine.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/Kids-amp-Parents|title=Kids & Parents|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} For older people, home library services, knitting clubs, and technology classes are offered.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/Seniors|title=Seniors|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} International English Language Testing System (IELTS) online courses are provided.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/Multicultural-Communities/Learning-English|title=Learning English|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} The library provides lectures about Higher School Certificate topics, a study skills online resource, and lists of related texts for HSC English topics. Quiet study spaces are also provided for HSC students.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/HSC-Students|title=HSC Students|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} All branches except Bundeena have internet-connected computers available for hire.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/Computers-Internet/Computer-PC-Hire|title=Computer (PC) Hire|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} Most branches have four hours of free Wi-Fi access, with a login using a library card.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/Computers-Internet/Wi-Fi-in-the-Library|title=Wi-Fi in the Library|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} Photocopying is available at all branches, and some offer scanning and fax services.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/Computers-Internet/Photocopying-Scanning-Fax-Services|title=Photocopying, Scanning & Fax Services|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} A monthly meeting is held at Sutherland Library's makerspace.{{cite web|url=http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/MakerSpace/MakerSpace-Meetup|title=MakerSpace Meetup|website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}} The library has held an annual book sale since 1989"Library's 22nd book sale." St George & Sutherland Shire Leader [Kogarah, Australia], 16 May 2011. Gale OneFile: News, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A281326990/STND?u=sutherland&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=645bfead. Accessed 12 June 2022. which lasts over three days, which fund furniture and equipment for the libraries.{{cite web |title=The Annual Library Book Sale Is On Again! - Sutherland Shire Council |url=https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Council/News-and-Publications/News/The-Annual-Library-Book-Sale-Is-On-Again |website=www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au |access-date=12 June 2022}} Energy-monitor devices and sustainability kits for households have also been available to borrow from the libraries,{{Cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-204087523.html|title=Council energy-monitoring devices a hit|last=Bibby|first=Paul|date=21 July 2009|work=Australasian Business Intelligence|access-date=3 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118184125/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-204087523.html|archive-date=2018-11-18|url-status=dead|url-access= }}{{cite web |title=Sustainability Kit |url=https://cms.ssc.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Services/Sustainability-Kit |website=Sutherland Shire Libraries |access-date=21 July 2023}} and batteries, cables and small e-waste items can be recycled at the Caringbah branch.{{cite web |title=Sustainability |url=https://libraries.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/sustainability |publisher=Sutherland Shire Libraries |access-date=2 June 2024 |language=en |date=16 May 2024}} The library also offers an app which allows users to search the collection, check out books, and manage their account.{{cite web |title=Library App |url=https://cms.ssc.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Membership/Library-App |website=Sutherland Shire Council Libraries |access-date=26 August 2022 |language=en-AU}}

The Library website's homepage had 320,883 hits in 2014–15,{{cite web|last1=Morrison|first1=Kathy|title=PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS 2014–15 PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES IN NEW SOUTH WALES|url=http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014_15statistics.pdf|publisher=State Library of NSW|access-date=21 May 2017|page=90}} and 346,920 in 2015–16.http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2015_16statistics.pdf p. 92

As of June 2015, the library had 69,740 registered members. Of these, 4,922 were non-local to the area.{{cite web|last1=Morrison|first1=Kathy|title=PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS 2014–15 PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES IN NEW SOUTH WALES|url=http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014_15statistics.pdf|publisher=State Library of NSW|access-date=21 May 2017|page=43}} As of June 2016, the library had 76,389 registered members. Of these, 5,743 were non-local to the area.http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2015_16statistics.pdf p. 47

Prior to Sutherland Shire Libraries, a free library for unemployed people operated in Engadine as of 1937.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17305728 |title=FREE LIBRARY |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=30,915 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=2 February 1937 |access-date=30 May 2017 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} In 1950, the Kirrawee Progress Association asked Sutherland Shire Council to establish a library of non-fiction.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235270068 |title=SUGGESTED LIBRARY. |newspaper=The Propeller |volume=XL |issue=2044 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=25 May 1950 |access-date=31 May 2017 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} Sutherland Shire Council adopted the Library Act 1939 (NSW) in 1952,{{Cite web|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/la193999/|title=LIBRARY ACT 1939|website=New South Wales Consolidated Acts|access-date=2017-07-03}} which provided free library services for people in New South Wales.{{cite web|url=http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/public-library-services/library-act-anniversary|title=Library Act anniversary|author=State Library of New South Wales|date=25 June 2015|website=www.sl.nsw.gov.au|author-link=State Library of New South Wales}} Cronulla School of the Arts offered their library space for the library-to-be in 1953.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235275864 |title=SUTHERLAND SHIRE LIBRARY. |newspaper=The Propeller |volume=XLIII |issue=2188 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=5 March 1953 |access-date=31 May 2017 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} Sutherland Library opened in 1953 in the home of a former doctor, with 8000 books. In 1955, the Miranda and Cronulla branches opened.{{cite book|last1=Watt|first1=Bruce|title=The Shire : A journey through time|date=2014|publisher=Everbest|location=China|isbn=9780646920191|page=199}} In 1964, Miranda Library moved into Miranda Fair.{{cite web|author1=Sutherland Shire Libraries|title=Celebrating 60 Years of Shire Libraries|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/suthlib/8658507419/in/album-72157633272130436/|website=Flickr|access-date=4 July 2017|language=en-us}} Part of the School of the Arts was used for the Cronulla branch when it opened. The Cronulla branch moved into the old Methodist church on Surf Road in 1969.{{cite web|url=http://blog.sutherlandlibrary.com/2009/09/farewell-cronulla-library-as-we-know-it.html|title=Farewell Cronulla Library, as we know it.|website=Sutherland Shire Libraries News|language=en|access-date=3 July 2017}}

In the Sydney Subject Specialisation Scheme, a defunct Sydney-wide collection development agreement which facilitated interlibrary loans since 1962, prior to the advent of computerised union catalogues,{{cite web|title=Manly Library Annual Report 2005—2006|url=http://www.manly.nsw.gov.au/IgnitionSuite/uploads/docs/Annual%20Report%2005-06%20November%2006%20email.pdf|publisher=Manly Library}} Sutherland Shire Libraries maintained a focus on philosophy, psychology, aquariums, chemical technology and Dutch literature.{{cite web|url=https://biblioburbia.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/sydney-subject-specialisation-scheme/|title=Sydney Subject Specialisation Scheme|date=17 November 2012|website=Biblioburbia: The Library Files|access-date=3 July 2017}}

In 1989, Sutherland Shire Libraries withdrew The Satanic Verses from circulation due to a bomb threat.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120917878 |title=IN BRIEF |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=63 |issue=19,523 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=22 March 1989 |access-date=31 May 2017 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In 1994, the central branch of the library moved to Eton Street.

In 2004, Sutherland Library staff won a Guinness World Record to be the longest read-alouders, with a time of 81 hours and 15 minutes.Nicolette, Burke. "[http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=anh&AN=200406172025929513&site=ehost-live Librarians Who Wouldn't Shush]." The Daily Telegraph, 17 June 2004 p.25 EBSCOhost

RFID tags were implemented in 2008,{{cite web|title=A business case framework for RFID in NSW public libraries|url=http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/rfid_cost_benefit.pdf|publisher=State Library of NSW|page=22}} allowing library users to check out books themselves.{{cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/22592172|title=RFID @ Sutherland Shire Libraries|date=19 April 2011|website=Sutherland Shire Libraries|access-date=3 July 2017}}

In 2011, a fire was started in Cronulla Library's return chute.Emma Partridge. "[http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=anh&AN=frfx.2307822&site=ehost-live. Cronulla Library Security Plan]." St George & Sutherland Shire Leader, 28 September 2011 p.9. EBSCOhost

In 2013, free Wi-Fi was introduced at the Sutherland, Menai, Engadine, Miranda, Caringbah and Cronulla branches.{{cite news|title=Free library Wi-Fi|date=16 July 2013|work=St. George and Sutherland Shire Leader|page=18|via=ProQuest Central}} A strategic planning document tabled by PricewaterhouseCoopers for Sutherland Shire Council in the same year recommended the closure of two library branches.{{cite news|last1=Gainsford|first1=Jim|title=88 Sutherland Shire Council jobs to go|url=http://www.theleader.com.au/story/1568503/88-sutherland-shire-council-jobs-to-go/|work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=12 June 2013|language=en}}

In the lead-up to the 2015 state election, Sutherland Shire Council, as the governing body of Sutherland Shire Libraries, advocated for more state funding to be allocated for library services.{{cite news|last1=Trembath|first1=Murray|title=State Election: Foley pledges a big boost for books|url=http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2963431/state-election-foley-pledges-a-big-boost-for-books/|work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=24 March 2015|language=en}}

In 2015, Sutherland Library bought a 3D printer and opened a library makerspace.{{cite news|last1=Gainsford|first1=Jim|title=3D printer puts shire library at cutting edge|url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/3387310/3d-printer-puts-shire-library-at-cutting-edge/|work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=29 September 2015|language=en}} Weekend hours for Sutherland and Cronulla were extended in the same year, by increasing use of volunteers.{{cite news|last1=Porter|first1=Merryn|title=Against odds, library patronage soars|url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/3495268/against-odds-library-patronage-soars/|work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=17 November 2015|language=en}} The library subscribed to the BorrowBox e-book service in 2015.{{cite web|last1=Livingstone|first1=Angela|title=E-book and e-audio books at Sutherland Shire Libraries|url=http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/blogs/e-book-and-e-audio-books-sutherland-shire-libraries|website=www.sl.nsw.gov.au|language=en|date=10 September 2015}} Sutherland Shire Libraries won the 2015 LIAC Centre of Excellence Award for their partnership with the Sutherland Local Court and their Law Week activities.{{cite web|title=Centre of Excellence 2015 winners|url=http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/public-library-services/services-find-legal-answers-liac-centre-excellence-award/centre-excellence-0|website=www.sl.nsw.gov.au|language=en|date=14 November 2016}} A justice of the peace help desk was offered at Cronulla library beginning in 2015.{{cite news|last1=Gainsford|first1=Jim|title=JPs start free help desk at Cronulla|url=http://www.theleader.com.au/story/3302246/jps-start-free-help-desk-at-cronulla/|work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=26 August 2015|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Scheduled JP services|url=http://www.jp.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Justices%20of%20the%20Peace/scheduledjpservices.aspx#CRONULLA%23|publisher=Department of Justice, NSW}}

The central branch was proposed to move to Kirrawee as part of the South Village shopping centre,{{cite news|last1=Gainsford|first1=Jim|title=Sutherland central library may move to Kirrawee brick pit|url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/4544633/sutherland-central-library-may-move-to-kirrawee-brick-pit/|work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=21 March 2017|language=en}} but this was later scrapped. A 'technology-focused library and community hub' is now planned to operate in the South Village complex,{{cite news |title=Tech-focused library and community hub for South Village |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8145203/tech-focused-library-and-community-hub-for-south-village/?cs=1507&mibextid=Zxz2cZ |access-date=7 April 2023 |work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader |date=4 April 2023 |language=en-AU}} with a slated opening of April 2025.{{cite web |title=Library and Technology-focused Community Hub |url=https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/your-council/projects-in-your-area/featured-projects/kirrawee-library-and-technology-focused-community-hub |website=www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au |publisher=Sutherland Shire Council |access-date=2 June 2024 |language=en |date=15 December 2023}}

• Sydney Institute of TAFE - Gymea and Loftus campuses maintain libraries for their students.
• Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre - often partners with Sutherland Shire Libraries for art exhibitions, as a nearby GLAM organisation.

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