Chinchilla Library Service

Services

Books_________________________________________

Novels: There is a large range of books and paperbacks arranged alphabetically by author surname. There are westerns, romances, mysteries, thrillers, fantasies, family sagas etc. Items not held locally may be requested from Public Library Services.

Non-Fiction: There are information books on a great range of subjects; e.g., gardening, cooking, history, computers, farming, sport, biographies etc.

Reference Material: This collection includes encyclopaedias, dictionaries, almanacs, atlases, Australian Bureau of Statistics data, government information and local and family history resources. Material from this collection is not available for loan.

[top]

Magazines/Newspapers__________________________

The Library subscribes to The Chinchilla News, The Courier-Mail and the Australian newspapers, as well as a large number of magazines. These subscriptions are reviewed annually. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a new title. Your suggestion will be considered in the light of our selection criteria and budget constraints.

[top]

Community Languages___________________________

Through the State Library of Queensland, Chinchilla Library has access to materials in over 50 different community languages. Please discuss your needs with staff.

DVDs/CDs/Videos/Talking Books_________________

The library has a range of music CDs for children, young people and adults. We do not compete with the local video stores, so there are videos and DVDs on hobbies, travel, health etc and a few classic movies.

Talking books are available on cassette or CD. Abridged talking books give the option of a shorter story. There is a collection of talking books with access restricted to those with a print disability. These are read by volunteers.

[top]

Online Databases______________________________

Through the State Library of Queensland, Chinchilla Library can provide access to a number of valuable online databases either from the library or from your home computer. You can find authoritative information and full-text articles from newspapers, journals and reference books on current affairs, health topics, literature, science, business etc.

Computers & Internet__________________________

The library has a bank of computers for public access. Please check at the desk before logging on, as a booking schedule applies. Before using the computers, please read the library computer policy. Failure to abide by this policy will result in a ban.

Free internet access is provided, along with business and graphics software. There is a colour laser printer. Printing costs 20c per page for black and 50c per page for colour. There is a card reader for downloading images from digital cameras. A scanner is provided at one terminal.

Computer access is not available to customers who have overdue books or outstanding accounts.

Staff are able to provide some assistance in the use of computers and the internet. In-depth training is not provided. A free one hour Introduction to the Internet lesson is available - bookings are essential. To assist people to become more familiar with the technology, there are online tutorials, and short courses are available at the Chinchilla Technology Centre, Chinchilla TAFE and the Chinchilla Learning Network Centre.

[top]

Reference Service_____________________________

Professional staff are always available to help you find the information you require. For assistance with using the library and library catalogues, please ask at the desk, telephone the library on 4669 1990, or Ask a Librarian.

Local & Family History________________________

The library holds a significant collection of local and family history resources including:

• Chinchilla News 1931 - present (microfilm + hard copy)
• Clippings from Chinchilla News filed under useful headings
• Dalby Herald 1866-1879
• 1912 Council Ratebook Database
• School, district, organisation and family histories
• Works written about the region, or written by local authors or composers
• Cemetery & burial records
• Maps
• Queensland Post Office directories (microfiche)
• Various almanacs from the 19th & 20th centuries (microfiche)
• Indexes to births, deaths & marriages in Qld & NSW (microfiche, CD-Rom & internet)
• Historic photographs
• Genealogy "how to" books
• Research resources on the Prickly Pear era and the Leichhardt explorations
• Ephemera - programmes, menus, flyers, booklets, posters, reports, minutes, newsletters etc.
• Heritage Fact Sheets

[top]

Children & Youth______________________________

The library stocks materials in a variety of formats to suit the needs of babies, children and young adults. Regular holiday activities on literary themes provide children with an opportunity to become familiar with library environment and library facilities and resources and develop relationships with library staff. School visits are welcomed by arrangement and include storytimes. Homework assistance is provided in the afternoons.

People with special needs_____________________

The library is accessible by ramp and automatic doors and has ample interior space for wheelchairs. There is a good stock of large print books in both fiction and non-fiction. Videos with supertext (subtitles) are available for the hearing impaired. There is a collection of talking books on both audiocassette and CD, with an additional range available only to those with a print disability. These include fiction and non-fiction titles in a broad array of genres.

A computer with a touch screen, large key keyboard and trackball mouse is installed on an electronically adjustable desk. Software available includes a special internet browser, magnification software, read aloud access to the internet, and software which is able to read out scanned material such as books, newspapers and typewritten correspondence. There is a choice of voices for the read out software, and a choice of colours for the screen.

Staff are also able to assist with helping you get materials to your vehicle.

If you are unable to visit the library in person due to illness or frail health, please telephone your requests and preferences to staff, who can make selections for you and arrange delivery via a friend.

Please discuss your special needs with staff, who are only too happy to assist you.

[top]

Photocopier___________________________________

The library has a B&W photocopier for public access. Costs are:

A4 single side - 20c; A4 double side - 30c

A3 single side - 40c; A3 double side - 50c

Laminating____________________________________

Laminating can be done in small quantities. A4 costs $2.20 per page and Business Cards $1.00 each.

Fax Machine___________________________________

You can send or receive a fax from the library at a cost of $1.00 per page.

Queensland Museum Loans_______________________

Chinchilla Library is a distribution centre for collections from the Country Touring Service to Regional Queensland. Kits are large, medium, small or multi-boxed and most are theme-based displays or collections. The majority contain specimens you can touch supported by activities, games, posters and books. Any one or any group can book and borrow a kit by contacting the Library. Click here to see what's on offer for this quarter.

[top] [home]

Copyright 2005-2008 Chinchilla Library