library A to Z of Library services
A
Audio Books
We have a large collection of unabridged books on cassette and on CD books. We have kids, youth, adult and non-fiction titles.
They are ideal for listening to on long car trips, but also help to meet the needs of the visually impaired, or those with poor literacy skills.
Up to 5 may be checked out on your card at any time.
Advocate Index (newspaper)
The Centralian Advocate is Alice Springs' longest running newspaper, first published on 24 May 1947, and still in circulation today. An index of major articles is being developed to make research of early newspapers more accessible to researchers and the general public. All editions of the Centralian Advocate newspaper are available in the Library.
Alice Springs Collection
The Alice Springs Collection is a collection of books, magazines, photographs, pamphlets, cuttings, etc. that relates to the historical, scientific and cultural heritage of Alice Springs and Central Australia. This is a reference collection and items are not available for loan. They can be viewed in the Library during week day, regular opening hours. The collection is not available during weekends.
Australian Bureau of Statistics
A range of basic statistical information from The Australian Bureau of Statistics is available to the public or you can visit the ABS site on www.abs.gov.au
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Book Sale
The library holds book sales one to two times per year. If you would like to be notified of up and coming book sales, keep your eye on what's happening or contact Anneke Rose on (08) 8950 0515
Books from other Libraries
If a particular title is not available in our Library, we can request it from another library on behalf of Full Membership Borrowers. Item and borrower details need to be entered on a request card which is given to Library staff at the service desk. If the item is supplied by a library outside of the NT, a charge may be levied. Conditions apply, so check with Library staff.
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Catalogue – Library
Search the Library catalogue online or at the library. If you need help to learn how to use the catalogue ask our Library staff. Searches can be conducted on the Alice Springs Public Library collection, or on the NT Libraries Network collection as a whole.
Children's Storytime
Storytime is held in the Children's & Youth Section of the Library every Tuesday and Thursday at at 10.15am for Children aged 5 and under.
Computer Access
The library currently has 8 personal computers offering access of Email, Internet, Word-processing, Database links and the Library Catalogue. You need to book to use the computer through library staff at the front desk, the automated booking computer or by phoning (08) 8950 0555 and quote your borrower card number after 10am. Bookings may be 25mins or 55mins. (Maximum daily booking of 55mins). Members of the Library may use the computers free of charge, otherwise there is a fee for non-members. Your booking shall be held for 10 minutes... if you fail to appear after this time, your booking may be reallocated.
The Library also has 2 computers with Microsoft Office available for use by any member of the public.
Click here for charges.
Country Borrowers
The library provides a service to residents of isolated and remote areas in Central Australia who cannot get to the Library on a regular basis. Click here for further information
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Disability Services and Facilities
The building entrance and library facilities cater to people with disabilities. Our resources also include a range of audio books for adults and children – these are full length, unabridged novels and works of non-fiction read onto cassette tape and CD-ROM.
DVD Collection
The library purchases a range of children’s and general adult fiction and non-fiction DVD's.
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Home Library Service
The Library provides a home service to residents of Old Timers Lodge who are unable to come to the library on a regular basis due to physical frailty, infirmity or disability. Red Cross also borrow from the library on behalf of housebound patrons.
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Inter Library Loans
If a particular title is not available in our Library, we can request it from another library on behalf of Full Membership Borrowers. Item and borrower details need to be entered on a request card which is given to Library staff at the service desk. If the item is supplied by a library outside of the NT, a charge may be levied. Conditions apply, so check with Library staff.
Internet Access
Access to the Internet is provided to Library members and the general public. We recommend that bookings be made well in advance for 25mins or 55mins. (Maximum daily booking of 55mins). A 10 minute grace time is allowed for late arrival, after that time, the booking may be allocated to someone else. Internet access is free to Full Membership Borrowers, a fee applies to all other users.
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Joining the Library
Full Membership of the Library is free and available to permanent residents of Alice Springs. Other categories of membership are available to cater for visitors, children, and people living in remote areas. Personal identification which includes a permanent residential address is required. Click here for further information.
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Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
The Library provides a small range of books in other languages for loan. Languages currently available are: Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Portuguese, Polish, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese. Ask the Library staff if other languages are required.
If the language you want is not in this list, please request books in your language from Library staff.
Large Print Books
The Library stocks a range of fiction and non-fiction books published in Large Print format for loan.
Legislation
Northern Territory Legislation
NT legislation can be downloaded from http://www.nt.gov.au/lant/hansard/hansard.shtml
Commonwealth legislation
All Australian legislation can be downloaded from http://www.austlii.edu.au/
AUSINFO is the Commonwealth Government agency who can assist with all Commonwealth legislation enquiries, you can download from http://www.aph.gov.au/
or call 132447.
Library Fees and Charges
Library Links page
Local History Information
The Alice Springs Collection is a collection of books, magazines, photographs, pamphlets, cuttings, microfilm etc. that relates to the historical, scientific and cultural heritage of Alice Springs and Central Australia. This is a reference collection and items are not available for loan.
Local Knowledge (Akaltye Antheme) Collection
This collection aims to provide the whole community with a depth of information about Indigenous issues, appropriate to the needs of Indigenous family groups and individuals using the library's services. The collection is presented with value and respect to local Indigenous communities and is dedicated to contemporary Indigenous knowledge and information. The collection's intent is to promote information about health, land management, education and the work of local organisations whilst catering to a wide range of literacy levels.
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Magazine Collection
The Library offers a wide range of magazines of popular interest. Current issues are available for use in the library.
Membership (How to Join)
The Library is a free service and there are no joining costs. There are several categories of membership: Full Borrower, Non Resident Borrower, Country Borrower and Institutional Borrower.
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New Items for loan
You can find our newest books on display in the Library, to the left of the circulation desk as you enter. Don't forget to peruse the CD, DVD and video collections for new additions at your next visit.
Newspaper collection
The Library subscribes to a range of newspapers. We receive The NT News, The Australian and The Advertiser daily, The Age three times a week, The Centralian Advocate twice weekly, the weekend editions of the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Advertiser, The Australian and The Sunday Territorian as well as The Guardian from overseas. Newspapers are delivered to the Library around lunchtime and are available to read in the Library only.
Newspaper – Advocate Index
All editions of the Centralian Advocate newspaper are available in PDF format on the computers in the Alice Springs Collection. An index of major articles is being developed to make this valuable resource more accessible to researchers and the general public.
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P
Photocopier
The library has a photocopier for public use. It provides copies in Black and White or Colour and uses A4 or A3 paper. Users are not permitted to use their own paper in the copier.
Policies and Guidelines – Library
The Alice Springs Public Library policies are currently under review. Please contact the library for information on specific policies.
Printing
Printing is available from all public access PCs (for a small fee, enquire at the counter)
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Reference Services
The library provides a reference query service.
We prefer requests to be made using our Reference request form
Forms may be submitted at the Library front counter or emailed (print to file and send as an attachment) to library@astc.nt.gov.au
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School Holiday Program
For upcoming Holiday Programme details, please contact the Children's & Youth Services Librarian on (08) 8950 0555.
School Visits
The Library provides tours and research assistance for school groups and groups from educational institutions. Bookings can be made by phoning the Children's and Youth Services Librarian on (08) 8950 0555.
Statistics – local area
A range of basic local statistical information from The Australian Bureau of Statistics is available to the public at the library or you can visit the ABS site on www.abs.gov.au
Storytime
Storytime is held in the Children's & Youth Section of the Library every Tuesday and Thursday at at 10.15am for Children aged 5 and under.
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Video Collection
The has a collection of children’s and general adult fiction and non-fiction videos. These are slowly being replaced by our DVD collection.
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Word Processing Facilities – Library
Computer Access
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Youth
Books, Talking Books, Magazines, CD-ROM and DVD's specifically catering to teenagers are available for loan and for use within the Library.
There are also 3 homework computers and 2 games computers located in the Children's & Youth Section of the Library.
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Reference request form
(pdf 44.12 kB)