Adelaide Hills Council Library Service
COVID-19 Update

In response to Australian Government advice we have closed all Council libraries and service centres for in-person transactions. 

Customer service is contactable online or by calling (08) 8408 0400. 

As outlined in this newsletter, our libraries are providing modified access to their collections and are promoting our online resources. Additionally we are putting as many of our programs online as possible.

If you are aware of any community members who need access to our library collections or online resources, please encourage them to contact us on 8408 0400 or email library@ahc.sa.gov.au.

Can I still borrow and what about my loans?

We are currently delivering a modified service using ‘call and collect’. Simply contact us on 8408 0400 or email us at library@ahc.sa.gov.au with your requirements. We will help you select some items, issue them to your card, and make them available to collect from one of our branches; the entryways of our libraries in Stirling, Woodside and Gumeracha have been modified to ensure social distancing is maintained.

Opening hours for the call and collect service:

Stirling and Woodside - Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm

Gumeracha - Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9.00am to 12noon and Tuesday, Thursday 2.00pm to 5.00pm

We hope this service will provide you with what you need from our Adelaide Hills collections.

Please be aware that online reservations can no longer be made across the state. You will only be able to reserve items that are on the Adelaide Hills catalogue.

Please remember:
- The after-hours chutes will remain open 24/7 at all branches to facilitate returns
- All returned items are quarantined for five days.
- All loans will be six weeks and can be renewed a total of five times.
- We cannot access items from other Council libraries.
- You can access both Adelaide Hills and  state funded online resources.

Library online resources

Our online resources are available 24/7 and include eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers and eMagazines, film streaming services, and learning resources.

Adelaide Hills library customers have exclusive access to eBooks/eAudiobooks through BorrowBox and the film streaming services Kanopy and Beamafilm.

All online resources are accessible through our library catalogue.

We also have a How To guide that steps you through the installation and use of our online resources. Access the guide here.

Don't hesitate to call us on 8408 0400 if you need assistance accessing these resources.

Online school holiday program

It's our first ever online school holiday program!

We’ve managed to transfer, redevelop, and create activities to ensure that we can still offer a program to entertain children during the school holiday period. Check out all the details for the program on our website

We recommend that you follow the Adelaide Hills Council Library Service on Facebook to keep up with daily events and share your experience with us and appreciate your feedback while we grow in this space.

Tell your friends and we look forward to sharing this experience with you!

Early Childhood Programs online

Claire and Caroline, and our other amazing staff, are filming online videos of our regular early childhood programs. They are accessible via our Library Facebook page, YouTube, and the library website. Check out a taster below.

Tip: If you follow our Facebook page or subscribe to our YouTube channel you will receive notifications as new content is added.

Suggestions to keep you busy

FOR ADULTS (because you need some distractions too!)

Writers’ Week sessions | Adelaide Festival has podcasts of talks from the 2020 program and previous years that you can listen to now.
Virtual Cinematheque | Weekly double bills showcasing classic and contemporary films. An account needed to watch, but it is free, quick and easy. You can also use Metastream to share viewings with friends.
National Gallery of Victoria | Access free online tours of exhibitions.
Museums Victoria | Access free ‘museum at home’ virtual visits.

FOR CHILDREN

SA Public Libraries YouTube channel | Watch a range of children's storytime video sessions from libraries across South Australia (including ours!).
Kinderling Kids Radio | Stream a mixture of songs, music, and stories read by Australian personalities through your phone, digital radio or other device.
ABC Reading Eggs | A subscription service with options for children aged two to 13. With games, activities and a rewards-based system, it also includes a library from which children can select books to be read to them.
Zindzi Okenyo live readings | ABC Playschool presenter Zindzi Okenyo is using her Instagram account to present live readings daily. Hear something for younger children at 4pm, then something at 7pm for older children.
IXL | A subscription service offering options for learning maths and English at home. It is mainly intended for primary school aged children, and includes an option for audio questions. A very basic free version is also available.
Nanogirl's Lab | A subscription service with great online resources for STEM activities. Some videos are also available free of charge.

For Council updates and information about all of our services during this period you can visit Hills Voice: your say. For the latest updates and healthcare recommendations about the COVID-19 pandemic, please refer to the Department of Health.

Stay well and we hope to welcome you back soon!