Library membership is free to all residents and ratepayers of Gunnedah Shire. Just visit the library, fill out the application form, present some form of identification, such as a driver’s licence, and you will be able to borrow at once.

The Library is opened from 9.30am until 5.30pm every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday from 9.00am until 4.30pm and on Saturday from 9.30am until 1.00pm.

You can borrow 20 items at a time, including books, paperbacks, magazines, DVDs , CDs, audiobooks and playaways.

You can keep the items for two weeks. If you haven't finished reading them, you can extend them by bringing them in and asking for an extension, ringing up, or you can renew them yourself by logging onto the library catalogue, clicking on 'Member Services' on the menu to the left of the screen, and logging in.
The log in number is your Gunnedah Shire Library card number, and the password is your date of birth – ddmmyyyy. This will bring up a page with a list of the books you have out on loan. Just click the boxes under the 'Renew' column, then click 'Submit' and your books will be automatically extended.
If the books have been reserved by other library members, you won't be able to renew them.

Yes, there’s an overdue fine of 30 cents per item per day, but if you haven’t finished with your books, you can renew them by coming into the library or phoning us.  Overdue books cannot be renewed.

The library has an afterhours chute to the left of the door.  Just scan your library card or the bar code of one of the books, and follow the prompts to open the flap.  When the flap is pushed open, just slide all the books through, and the books will be returned by the library staff the next morning.

Notify the library staff as quickly as possible.
Lost or damaged books have to be paid for, so it’s best not to have a big overdue fine as well as the replacement cost charge.

You can ask the library staff to reserve the book for you, or reserve it by logging onto the library catalogue, looking up the book, and clicking on the relevant title. When the new page comes up, click on the little "Res" box on the right of the 'Item information' section. Then click on 'Submit reservation'.
This will take you to the log in page.
The log in number is your Gunnedah Shire Library card number, and the password is your date of birth – ddmmyyyy. Just follow the prompts to reserve your item.
You can also reserve items over the phone.

You can ask for the book to be obtained by Inter Library Loan.
The library will get the book from another library that holds it. It may take a few weeks and there could be a charge for this service. Please provide as much information as possible about the book.
Inter Library Loan books cannot be renewed.

Staff of the Library welcomes suggestions for materials to be added to the collection. Ask staff for a Purchase Request form, and provide as much information as possible about the book. It may take several weeks before the book is ready to be checked out. You can also ask to be notified when it has been added to the collection.

Yes. The library has Toddler Time each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 10.30am until 11.00am for children aged 1 day to 3 years. These sessions often include singing, rhyme, movement, music, storytelling, and a simple handicraft that the children can take home.
During school holidays at 3.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, there are storytelling sessions for older children (7-12 years). There is also a Summer Reading Program during January. Check on the events calendar to find the next session time or phone the library on (02) 6740 2190.

Yes. Library staff can assist with age appropriate books, and will discuss various techniques and activities that you can use.
1,000 Books Before School commenced in January 2014 and is very popular and parent can join their children at any time during the year. By reading just one book each evening, the target of 1,000 books can be achieved in less than three years and the child will be set for a lifelong love of books and learning – a great outcome for an investment of three to five minutes each day, and not difficult at all.
Certificates will be awarded for reading 50, 100, 250, 500, 750 and then 1,000 books, so when the child starts school or preschool, not only will they have a handful of awards that they can show their classmates and teachers, but they will also have a head start in learning to read and write.

Yes. The library develops new activities and events each year including: author visits, Law Week talks, Family History meetings, Seniors Week activities. Community groups and organisations throughout the Shire are invited to contact the library to arrange tailor made tours and talks.
Check on the events calendar to find the date of the next activity.

Yes. The Family History Group meets at the library at 10.30am every 2nd Wednesday and every 4th Friday of each month. They can help with getting you started with your research.
The library also has books about researching family history that can be borrowed.
The library also subscribes to an online database: the ProQuest Ancestry Library. This database includes Australian electoral rolls, convict records, UK and US census records, and US immigration collection. There is a charge to use this database, and once it had been paid, the password and login are good for one year.
The library also holds microfiche/film records of the local papers and they are available during opening hours.
Staff can assist if necessary.

Yes, the library has a housebound service that operates every two weeks. The housebound person fills out an application form, and an additional form giving their reading or listening preferences. The library staff selects the books and they are delivered to the door each fortnight.
The service is free.

The library has a collection of Large Print books in all genres for people with low vision. It also has a large collection of talking books and Playaways available for loan

The library, as well as having fiction and factual books for children of all ages, also has music CDs for children, DVDs, and talking books. There are also various books of activities that parents and carers can use to prepare for journeys.

You can borrow from our collection of talking books and listen to the books as you drive.

No, there’s a branch library in the Curlewis town hall which is open every Monday from 1.00 to 3.00 and every Wednesday from 10.00am until 1.00pm. The library has only books for adults and children. Library cards can be used at either library.
There’s storytelling at Curlewis every Monday afternoon, and school holiday programme are also held at Curlewis library.
Check the events calendar for the next session.

Yes, the library has seven public access internet computers available. The computers must be booked and the sessions are for two hours. The service is free for members of the library; non members must pay a small charge per session. Some sites may be blocked for security reasons.
Children can also use the computers if their parents or carers have signed the internet consent form

Yes. The library has free Wi-Fi available for laptops, notebooks, iPads and other devices. Just ask the staff for the Wi-Fi login slips. The sessions are for two hours.

Yes, we have seven public access internet computers available.  They are free for library members; non members have to pay a small charge.  The computers must be booked and the sessions are two hours long.  Staff are on hand to help with less complex computer problems.

Yes, you need to book the express computer and then send your document to the printer.  There’s a small charge per page for printing.

Yes, the library has a copier/printer available for the public.  There’s a small charge per page for printing.

Yes. There is JP available who will be happy to witness and sign documents for you. To avoid disappointment however, it is recommended that you phone the library in advance on (02) 6740 2190 to ensure the staff member is available on the day.

Yes. You are welcome to join the library as a non-resident and borrow five items. You can also just come into the library, read the papers or magazines, use the internet computers (for a small charge), or simply relax. Visiting children are welcome to attend Toddler Time or storytelling.

Yes. The library is able to borrow books in over 50 different languages from the State Library of NSW. Books are available in all reading levels and in all categories: adult fiction and non-fiction, children's fiction and non-fiction, and picture books. There are approximately 30 books in each delivery, and the boxes are changed every three months or sooner if necessary. You can also request specific authors and titles.