Hours of Opening
Tuesday to Friday: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm; 1:30 – 4:50 pm Saturday: 9:30 am to 12 noon.
Collections
The Grenfell Public Library has substantial collections of adult, young adult and junior fiction, large print books, picture book, nonfiction and references, talking books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, and toys.
Specialised collections include local newspapers on microfilm.
Services
A. General
Photocopying, laminating and scanning services are available but charges apply. Reference enquiries can be made in person, by phone or email.
Word processing facilities are available. Internet access is also available.
Items not available at the library can be requested from other libraries as interlibrary loans if the author and title are known, at a cost of $6.00 plus any charge levied by the supplying library. Information requests can also be directed to other libraries.
B. Housebound Service
A free hospital and housebound delivery services is available on Thursdays. Contact the Librarian for more details. There are substantial collections of both large print books and talking books.
C. Family Historians
The library has a microfilm/fiche reader and copies of the majority of old local newspapers on microfilm. Using the reader/printer to browse is free but prints cost 40 cents each.
The Grenfell Historical Society has an index of births, marriage and death notices published in the local paper.
The library also has copies of many of the cemetery records and pioneer registers relating to central New South Wales. These are for inhouse use.
There are also various ‘how to’ books for the beginning genealogist and copies of the Australian Family Tree Connections magazine dating back to 2002.
How to Join
Membership is free and open to all Shire residents. You need to show proof of identity with current address. Junior Members (under eighteen years) must have their registration signed by an adult. New members may borrow immediately.
FAQs
Q. What can I borrow? A. Adults can borrow twenty items. Children aged 17 and under can borrow ten items. A/V limits are stricter – two CD per card, 2 DVDs, and 2 toys only per card.
Q. How long is the borrowing period? A. Three weeks for books, talking books, magazines and toys. One week for videos, DVDs and CDs.
Q. What happens if I need an item longer? A. Items will be renewed on request as long as they are not on reserved for someone else. Items on three-week loan will be renewed for a further three weeks and items on one-week loan will be renewed for another week.
Q. What happens if the item I want is not available? A. If the item is on loan to someone else you can ask for a reserve to be placed on it. This means it will be kept for you when it is returned. There is a $2 charge for this service, as the system will automatically send you an email notification. If the library does not hold the item, we will try and get it for you on loan from another library. A charge of $6.00 applies to subsidize postage.
Q. Can I suggest titles for purchase? A. All suggestions will be considered but remember finances are tight and space limited.
Q. Will I be fined if I bring things back late? A. No.
Q. Can I return items when the library is closed? A. Yes, there is an after-hours return chute on the right-hand side of the door.
Q. What happens if an item is damaged when on loan to me? A. Each case is considered individually but confession is appreciated. Please take all reasonable care with library items but it is recognized that accidents can happen.
Q. Are donations of use to you? A. We appreciate any offer of donations. However, space is a major issue, along with condition and likely readership. We will consider any items offered and if they are not added to the collections can be returned to you or sold on behalf of the Library. Please note that donations are not accepted as a matter of course.
History
In 1946 the existing Grenfell Literary Institute was replaced by a local government library service, but this continued to be housed in the School of Arts building in Camp Street (now the Museum). In 1968 the Library moved to the RSL Rooms in Main Street and is still located there.
In 1997/8 automation was introduced and substantial improvements made to the library building including carpet and improved lighting.
Financed by a State Library Development Grant, a toy collection was established in 2003 and this has proved very popular. Recent years have seen a focus on developing a variety of non-book collections.
A new library was constructed behind the previous building as part of the Community Hub development officially opened in April 2009. The new library provided almost 30% more space, a separate family/local history room and improved storage and work areas.
In late November/early December 2018 the library went under a refurbishment which was financed by a State Library Infrastructure Grant. This provided mobile shelving, furnishing, a new microfilm reader and steam cleaned carpets.
Grenfell has been well served by a number of librarians over the years but the most famous was Mrs Lyn Cook, known affectionately as “Cookie”. Mrs Cook was town librarian for thirty-two years. With Anne Gault to Grenfell from Nyngan in 2000.
The current librarian, Erica Kearnes came to Grenfell in July 2017 from Lake Macquarie.
Contact
The Grenfell Library can be contacted by any of the following methods:
Street Address:
88 Main Street
Grenfell NSW 2810
Phone: 02 6343 1334
Email: [email protected]
Current Librarian: Erica Kearnes