Kiama Library

 

Kiama’s Living Library

Visit our Living Library to see what books may be available for our next session. Please have a look at some of the photos from the Living Library Launch on Flickr.

Read about the background to the Living Library movement.

See what's happening in Living Libraries around the world.

 

Friends of Kiama Library Creative Writing Competition

With $500 in prizes, the "Remember this 2009" Friends of Kiama Library Creative Writing Competition is open to Years 5 to 10 in a variety of categories. Based on pioneer pictures of the Kiama district, the entries must be in by 4pm Friday July 10th.

Maypole dancing at the Kiama Showground

 

Kiama Library has this gorgeous image of Maypole dancing at the Show ground. There are 5 ‘maypoles’ in the photograph each flying a different flag. The dancers and the crowd all seem to be well dressed for the activity. This may have been at the Kiama Show and possibly in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. The photograph measures 23cm x 7cm. The original photograph was possibly on board. If you have any information you can share on this photograph or the event we would love to hear from you. Please contact Kiama Library on 42331 133 or by email if you have any information. Kiama Library has a small historical photograph collection that we are intending to expand and ultimately have as an online resource for all to access. If you have any historical photographs you would like to either donate or allow us to scan we would be very pleased to hear form you. We are looking for photographs that show the Kiama region in a different time. Photographs from more modern times are just as welcome as the very old.

 

School Holidays

Have a look at our Knitting Workshop photos and scrabble photos where all had heaps of fun!

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The Kiama Library, established in 1953, is a member of the South Coast Cooperative Library Service (SCCLS) along with the Libraries of the Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla Council Local Government Areas. The cooperative's most northerly member, Kiama works closely with the other members to provide a quality service stretching down the south coast of New South Wales. The Kiama Library comprises two branches, Kiama and Gerringong.

As a member, material may be borrowed from and returned to any branch within the SCCLS.

Located in one of the most beautiful towns on the South Coast, the Kiama Library provides a comprehensive range of library services. Just turn up (with some identification and proof of address ) to join up! The library also has temporary membership for the visitors staying to enjoy the relaxing environs.

The Library is now located in an extended and renovated building. The building is an exciting design, providing a variety of experiences. It is a more spacious library with more seating and shelving.

 

The library is located at 7 Railway Parade Kiama, near the railway station. Its postal address is PO Box 75 Kiama NSW 2533,

Phone 02 4233 1133,

Fax 02 4232 0555,

SMS 0438 658 591.

The library's email address is library@kiama.nsw.gov.au

Kiama library is open to the public from Monday to Saturday. Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays 9.30am to 5.30pm. Tuesdays 9.30am to 8.00pm. Saturdays 9.30am to 2.00pm.

Don't hesitate to call us during opening hours to ask for our assistance.

Friends of Kiama Library (FOKL)

FOKL are the library's great friends and membership is always welcome. Through fund-raising activities, they seek to provide facilities for the library. (This entire website was built on a laptop FOKL provided, free of charge!). FOKL distributes a newsletter to its members detailing upcoming wonderful activities and enlightening talks.

Family History Centre

Kiama Family History Centre is maintained and operated by the Kiama Municipal Council, as a community service. The aim of the Centre is to assist researchers in their quest for knowledge about their family history and provide to information about the social history that impacted on the everyday lives of their ancestors.

Library membership

Membership can only be obtained in person at the library. After joining, the member receives a new, free library card that can be used within the library cooperative. The applicant requirements are:

• proof of residence in the Kiama, Shoalhaven or Eurobodalla Council Local Government Areas
• accompanying parent present with required information to join up a junior member.

Information taken is not made available to the general public.

Collections available for loan

The library has a wide range of materials in a variety of formats to borrow. These include Easies 1,2,3 (picture books); Juniors, Youth and Adult Fiction; Junior, Youth and Adult Non-Fiction; Children's Cassettes and Kits, Music Cassetttes and CDs; Talking Books; Large Print Fiction and Non-Fiction; Jigsaw puzzles; Videos; Magazines; DVDs and Infocus Higher School Certificate Resources.

Borrowing library materials

All library materials can be borrowed for one month, except magazines, dvds, and videos which are limited to a one week loan. Depending on the borrower, child or adult, the configuration of items that can be borrowed changes. Generally borrowing is limited to two items on the same subject or the same author at any one time per family.

Adult and child borrowing restrictions:

Adult	Child
6 Magazines	6 Magazines
2 Cassettes	2 Cassettes + 2 Kits
2 Jigsaws	2 Jigsaws
4 Music CD's	4 Music CD's
1 CDROM	1 CDROM
2 Videos	2 Videos
4 Talking Books	2 Toys if member

Renewals

As long as the items are not overdue or reserved, a reader can renew their loans once, by phone or in person. If you are going away for a while, give us a call and renew over the phone.

Reserving an item.

Any item within the library cooperative is able to be reserved. This incurs a fee of $2.00 for each item, except a reservation from Kiama to Gerringong or vice versa where the fee is waived. New items, items already on loan and items held at another library within the cooperative are chargeable reservations.

Display space

The library provides space for the general public to promote their interests. Please drop in your material and the staff will find a place for your information. It is expected that the information is presented in a A4 format, or similar.

Multilingual bulk loans

In cooperation with the Multicultural Services at the State Library of New South Wales, bulk loans can be made for the reader yearning to read their mother tongue. Ask at the library about which languages are available. The service is free, but the selection of books is limited.

Library Link

Published each week in the Kiama Independent, Library Link is a public information service for upcoming library events and the latest list of new arrivals to be displayed on the newbook stand. The reservation of these books incurs a fee.

Suggestions for purchase

Either email the library or when you drop in, let us know what you would like to see on the shelves. Purchases are based on the Collection Development Policy of the cooperative and are designed to make the collections across the cooperative complementary. All requests will be considered with this policy in mind.

Overdue library items

Please return library items on time. Defaulters may incur a fine and may have borrowing privileges withdrawn.

Lost items

Lost items require replacement cost plus a fee.

Clubs

The library facilitates clubs meetings. The present clubs are

The Scrabble Club meets every Tuesday afternoon from 4pm to 8pm. Just turn up. Boards are supplied.

The Book Club meets every 4th Thursday at 11am at the library.

A Chess Club meets every Saturday morning from 9.30am till 12.30am.

Chess, draughts and scrabble are available for public use. Jigsaw puzzles are available for use in the library or to borrow.