ALIA West

June 2005

City of Perth Library offered even more this year

Anyone wishing to have access to hundreds of specially selected magazines, newspapers and reference materials from overseas and around Australia could learn how during Library Information week. Special training sessions were run for user-friendly database (EBSCO) which links to articles in magazines such as Fortune, Men's health, Choice, Bulletin, and newspapers such as the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian and The Times (United Kingdom).

Library users have access to EBSCO via the internet in the library or at home through the library's webpage. (a library membership number allows access)

Training sessions for EBSCO were held regularly during Library Information Week. The response was surprisingly good.

LIW is an excellent time to try a new way to spread the word about libraries and their services. This year the City of Perth Library targeted business and retailers in the CBD and environs. A bright red bag was distributed containing a letter inviting people to make use of the library, brochures about services, a Memories of Perth postcard and several booklists. Response to date has been positive.

As the City of Perth Library is on the lower ground floor and does not have any street frontage a novel method of attracting attention was tried. Big yellow footprints led from a library 'shopfront' at the Town Hall to the library entry on Hay Street. Staff offered library information (bookmarks including a location map) and the opportunity to take part in a quiz designed to lead people to the library. A number of people went to the library as a result of the contact with staff and many quiz entries were lodged. A number of new memberships were recorded.