Canberrans will have more opportunities to lose themselves in a good book now they can register for free, contactless delivery of ACT library resources.
“Just in time for school holidays, the popular Mystery Box and Home Library services are back, delivering books and DVDs to your front door,” said Chris Steel, Minister for Transport and City Services.
The team at Libraries ACT have brought these popular services back in a COVID-safe way, he said.
“We know many Canberrans will be keen to take advantage of them while they do the right thing by our community and stay at home.”
Canberrans who want to request a Mystery Box can choose from a list of categories that interest them. This can include books or DVDs, across categories like mystery, thriller, romance, and children’s picture books. The library team will use this list to hand-pick a surprise collection for delivery.
“It’s a great way to find a new author, or rediscover an old favourite,” Mr Steel said.
The ACT home library service is also back online from today. This service is tailored for anyone who cannot make it to a branch in person, because of a disability, illness, or limited mobility.
New members are welcome to join, but will need a written referral from their doctor, nurse, community worker, or the Canberra Blind Society.
Deliveries to home addresses of Mystery Box and the Home Library Service will start this week.
With library branches closed, the digital resources section of the Libraries ACT website has boomed. Many Canberrans have used it for the first time, and downloads from the video streaming service Kanopy increased by 67 per cent over the last few weeks.
A new digital-only program – the ‘Too Busy Book Club’, including a Facebook discussion group – got off to a great start, with more than 300 members, Mr Steel said.
The Libraries ACT website has lots of great ways to keep the whole family busy, he continued, including fun and educational school holiday activities like yoga, Zentangle drawing classes, creative writing workshops, and spring gardening advice.
More information on how to book a delivery can be found on the Libraries ACT website.
If you need help with digital resources or with completing online registrations, call 6207 7265 to speak to a library staff member.
For Canberra’s historians and researchers, the ACT Heritage Library is still receiving research enquiries, although it remains closed to visitors.
Enquiries can be submitted through the Libraries ACT website, and skilled library staff will assist and respond.
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