About the Library

The Hills Shire Council's Library Service operates five library branches with staff dedicated to providing friendly and efficient service in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Library Service combines tradition with technology, providing the opportunity to learn, generate ideas or simply catch up on the news of the day.

General Information

For more information on the Libraries please click on the following links:

Joining the Library
Conditions of use
Borrowing, renewals and returns
Fees and charges
Enquiries
Minimising overdue charges

Joining the Library

Library membership is free. There are no joining fees and you do not need to be a resident to join.
On joining you agree to abide by the conditions of use.
Adults are required to produce identification, which shows proof of current address, for example a driver's licence, rates notice or utility account.
Anyone under 18 can join the library either by coming in with their parent/guardian or by presenting a completed registration form, signed by their parent/guardian. Identification and proof of address of parent/guardian is required.
Your membership card is needed every time you borrow.
Please advise staff as soon as possible of any change of address, phone number or name.
Are you a Hills Shire Council resident and would like an e-membership to access online resources? You can sign up for one online! Conditions do apply.

Conditions of use

By becoming a member of The Hills Shire Library, you agree to comply with the Conditions of use as amended by Council from time to time.

Members agree to take good care of all library materials borrowed and will reimburse Council for the cost of any loss or damage to these materials.
Members agree to immediately pay to Council relevant fees and charges associated with the use of library facilities, materials and services as determined by Council.
Members must comply with the conditions of the Copyright Act 1968.
Members must obey at all times the lawful direction of library staff.
Parents and guardians are responsible for their children's selections and use of library materials and services, including access to the internet.
Parents and guardians are responsible for any loss, damage or charges incurred by their children.
Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their children whilst in the Library.
Members are required to advise library staff as soon as possible of any changes in membership details or loss of library card.
The reminder email service is a courtesy to members. Absence of a reminder is not a valid reason for a waiver of fees.
Members borrow items at their own risk. The Hills Shire Library service is not responsible for any loss or damage occuring from the use of items borrowed from the collection.
Comply with Public Access Computer terms and conditions of use as agreed to at log on.

The Conditions of use are subject to change without notice.

Borrowing, renewals and returns

Library Catalogue

Members may borrow up to ten (10) items per membership card.
All items may be borrowed for three weeks except for Rapid Reads.
e-books and audiobooks are available to download from home. Are you a Hills Shire Council resident and would like an e-membership to access online resources? You can sign up for one online! Conditions do apply.
Items must be renewed before they are due.
Items may be renewed once for a further three weeks either in person, by phone or online.
All items may be renewed unless they are overdue, have been reserved by another borrower or have been renewed previously.
All items can be returned in the after hours chute when the libraries are closed at any of our five branches, regardless of which branch you borrowed from. Vinegar Hill Memorial Library's After Hours Chute is available at the following times:

Mon, Tue, Wed: 5am-9am and 6pm-12am
Thurs: 5am-9am and 9pm-12am
Fri: 5am-9am and 6pm-12am
Sat: 5am-9.30am and 5pm-12am
Sun: 5am-12.30pm and 5pm-12am
All other times please use returns machine located on level 1

Fees and charges as at 1 July 2012

Public access e-mail
Internet extra access per 15mins or part thereof (includes email, social networking, gaming)	$1.00
Freenet Internet access	Free
USB flash drive	$12.00
CD Read/Write Disk	$2.00
Photocopying / Printing
Black & White A4	$0.20
Black & White A3	$0.40
Colour A4	$1.00
Colour A3	$2.00
Colour photocopying is available at Castle Hill and Vinegar Hill Memorial Libraries
Reservations	$1.50
Inter-Library loan requests	$5.00
Fax Service
Send 1st page (STD & local only)	$4.00
Subsequent pages (p/page)	$1.30
Receive	$1.30
Replace membership card	$3.50
Lost or damaged items -Item cost + administration charge	$7.00
Overdue charges 1st notice* 2nd notice additional 3rd final notice additional	$5.00 $5.00 $20.00
Room Hire
Castle Hill and Vinegar Hill Memorial Library Meeting Rooms	$5.00 (per 1/2 hour) $9.50 (per hour)
Sonya Phillips Room, Castle Hill and William Bernard Room, Vinegar Hill	$26.00 (per hour)
Exam administration (in addition to the room hire fee)	$50.00 (per exam)

*Denotes items that do not attract GST

Enquiries:

Baulkham Hills

Carlingford

Castle Hill

Dural

Rouse Hill

9761 5735

9761 5745

9761 4510

9761 5755

8889 5200

Email: council-library@thehills.nsw.gov.au

Minimising Overdue Charges

Return your items on or before the due date.
Use the after hours chute outside any branch for the return of items when the library is closed.
Provide the library with your correct email address. You will be sent a courtesy email reminder notice a few days before your items are due to be returned.
Renew your items before they are due. Items may be renewed once for a further three weeks, either in person, by phone or online.All items may be renewed unless they are overdue or have been reserved by another borrower.
When you borrow, rather than taking a few items on each family member's card, try to borrow the maximum of 10 items on one or two cards.
Going on holidays? Let a staff member know before you borrow and an extended loan period can be arranged.

Remember, talk to us before fines become a problem. We will be pleased to help.

Services and Programs

Lending Services
Reference and Information
Local Studies
Children's Programs
Seminar Program
Book Clubs
Knitting and Craft Groups
Computer Access
Photocopying
Fax
Home Library Service
Seniors Bus
Council Services
Justice of the Peace
Meeting / Study rooms
Cafe
Save power kits
Ereaders