Border libraries get smarter
Tuesday, November 25 2008
All library members in the Borders are to be re-registered as part of a programme to introduce new multi-use ‘smart’ cards.
National Entitlement cards (NEC) are being adopted as the new library membership card. This means that bus passes and Young Scot cards, as well as their traditional uses, can now be adapted to allow the holder to access a range of Council services and borrow books, music CDs and DVDs from the libraries too.
The re-registration programme starts in Jedburgh Library this week.
‘Smart-ening’ the library membership card is part of the Council’s Customer First initiative and part of the Scottish Executive’s plans to provide a ‘one card for everything’ approach to service delivery.
Jedburgh Library will be the first library in the Scottish Borders to pilot the use of the NEC cards as library cards.
Executive Member for Culture, Sport and Community Learning, Councillor Graham Garvie is keen for people to re-register: “Current and prospective library members living in the Jedburgh area are invited to Jedburgh Library to re-register during normal opening hours, from 24 November to 12 December 2008, when library staff will be on hand to help people register or re-register for the new style library cards.
“If you have a Young Scot card or a bus pass already, and are not yet a member of the library, your existing card can be ’smartened’ to include library membership.”
Anyone renewing or taking out membership will be required to bring two pieces of identification with them, and these should include name and current address and a form of photographic identification, such as a driving licence or passport.
All patrons who renew their membership between 24 November to 12 December will receive a voucher for two free DVD or CD music loans. Their name will also be entered for a free prize draw for a DVD player. However, anyone who cannot make it into the library during that three week period can still re-register in their own time.
Jedburgh Library is open: Monday & Fridays 10a.m. – 1p.m. and 2p.m. – 5p.m. and 5.30p.m – 7p.m; Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10a.m. – 1p.m. and 2p.m. – 5p.m. Telephone 01835 863592.
A re-registration programme covering the other public libraries in Scottish Borders is currently being finalised, and details about when the re-registration team will be in other areas will be available from local libraries at the end of November.
More information is available from Library Headquarters on 01750 20842 or on the Council website at www.scotborders.gov.uk/libraries.
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