West Coast libraries announce joint membership programme

The West Coast’s libraries in the Grey, Westland and Buller Districts signed a memorandum of understanding on 25 July, allowing reciprocal membership between the three libraries.

Grey and Westland District Libraries have had this type of agreement for over ten years and Buller District Libraries is excited to be joining the longstanding partnership.

Residents from any of the three districts will be able to apply for a library membership at Buller, Grey, and Westland District Libraries.

Previously, if borrowers wanted to access books from a library outside of the local district they physically resided in, they had to obtain a costly non-resident membership.

The agreement will break down barriers to accessing libraries and the services they provide and will be of particular benefit to those living close to district borders, and people who work outside of their residential district.

Buller District Libraries Manager Nicky Meadowcroft says: “The benefits of this agreement are far-reaching.

For example, a person who lives 10 km north of Punakaiki in the Buller District but travels to Greymouth for work each day would find it difficult to get to the Westport or Reefton Libraries during working hours. They will now be able to access the more conveniently located Grey District Library without having to pay for a non-resident membership.”

Borrowers will be required to follow the membership terms and conditions of the individual libraries and be responsible for returning items to the library they were borrowed from – items cannot be returned to the closest library, or library of the borrower’s choosing.

This community-focused initiative has no cost outlay, therefore does not impact any of the libraries’ existing budgets.

Mrs Meadowcroft says: “This agreement reinforces the commitment of Westland, Grey, and Buller District Libraries to continue working collaboratively for all library members' benefit and across the entire West Coast without incurring any extra costs to ratepayers.”

Background information

On completion of the online registration form and presentation of the required documentation at the appropriate library, residents of each District are allowed full membership at any of the other districts’ libraries at no charge.

A separate library card for each library will be issued to borrowers.

Borrowers must abide by the rules and regulations relating to the library services at each individual library.

Books and resources borrowed are subject to the charges and policies of the issuing library.

Borrowers must return resources to the library that they were issued from.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz