Last date modified: 2nd June 2025
Contact info: Skye Sylvester Library Service Delivery Officer ssylvester@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
Library Management System: Spydus
Population breakdown and size of area
We service the whole Lake Mac region on Awabakal country. 757km2 area, population of 220 000 with 33% over 55 years. 6.6% of residents live with a disability.
10 library branches across the region.
HLS and NHS currently have ~330 customers.
Staffing and Volunteers (hours)
HLS currently operates under Outreach, with 2 full-time staff and 1 part-time.
These staff members are responsible for the development of profiles, selections, deliveries, and general branch operations. Only 1 staff member is technically full-time on HLS.
As of late 2024, we have slowly implemented a volunteer program to assist with the deliveries. Volunteers contribute around 12 hours combined each month to the HLS.
Customer Profiles
These are developed through a quick phone interview with customers and stored on their account through Spydus. Based on their preferences and needs, a ‘Match Borrower’ profile is also developed and used when selecting materials.
We primarily ask what format they desire, genres and types of stories, preferred authors, and any exclusions they may have. We also explain the nature of our Large Print collection (bigger books, broken up into General, Romance, Western, Mystery, and Non-Fic, etc.).
Assistive Technology
We currently provide Victor Stratus (and the older Daisy) players for loan, as well as Envoy players. These are typically loans for trial periods, but can be loaned up to 6 months at a time.
Delivery Details (vehicles, routes, frequency, NH, scheduling)
We use a Subaru Outback to deliver. Our volunteers use their own vehicles and are reimbursed for their travel at the recommended professional rate.
Our routes are developed in suburb clusters as a loop to minimise right-hand-turns and other practical issues. We delivery each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday on a monthly basis. Each delivery run varies in length, but has around 20 customers and takes place between 11am to 3 pm.
Nursing Homes are organised through the Lifestyle/Activity officer and receive a delivery each Thursday.
Any videos/images/websites for your service https://library.lakemac.com.au/Visit/Home-Library-Service