Services and Programs

For more information about the Libraries' services and programs click on the following links:

Lending Services

We hold a range of collections including best-sellers, biographies, classics, graphic novels, picture books, readers, music CDs, DVDs and magazines.
eBooks and audiobooks are available to borrow online. 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.
E-readers
Save Power Kits are available to borrow for 7 days
Bestsellers in the Rapid Reads collection are available to borrow for 7 days. What does this mean for you? More opportunities for you to get hold of the most popular titles more often.
Chinese, Korean and Hindi books. Other languages are available on request.
Chinese magazines and newspapers are available online.
Learning English books and CDs. IELTS help is available online.
Large print books and audio books on CD.

Reference and Information

Staff are available to help you locate information. We hold specialist collections at each branch on legal information, drug information and HSC resources.
We provide a number of Online Databases for our members. These databases contain a vast amount of information on a variety of topics. Resources include chinese language magazines, newspaper articles, encyclopeadias and IELTS help. All databases are available from any branch of the Library Service. Many can also be accessed by library members 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 apply.
The Community Directory provides access to a comprehensive list of organisations and services in the Shire such as addresses of local clubs, swimming pools, associations and toy libraries.

Local Studies

Ever wondered how Terminus Street in Castle Hill got its name? Why are the Mobbs family remembered in the area? Looking for somewhere local for a bushwalk? Interested in our local flora and fauna? All this and more at your local branch.

Access Hills Voices Online- a collection of oral history recordings that have been professionally recorded, and excerpts digitised, transcribed, illustrated and placed on the web together with videos and virtual tours, to showcase our cultural heritage to the world. DVD circulation copies of this site are also available for loan from our libraries.

Children's Programs

Pre-school Storytime

Storytimes for preschoolers are held during school terms at all branches. These lively sessions are a great way to introduce preschoolers to a love of books.

Baulkham Hills	Tuesday & Friday	11.00am
Carlingford	Wednesday & Friday	10.30am
Castle Hill	Tuesday & Wednesday	10.30am & 11.15am
Dural	Wednesday	11.00am
Rouse Hill	Tuesday & Friday	10.30am

Please note: due to space restrictions participant numbers are limited at Castle Hill and Rouse Hill
Special group visits are welcome by appointment at any branch

Baby Bounce

Come in and share in nursery rhymes, action songs and fingerplays with your baby. Baby Bounce sessions for 0-2 year olds and their carers are held during school terms at:

Baulkham Hills	Thursday	10.30am
Carlingford	Thursday	10.30am
Castle Hill	Thursday	2.00pm
Rouse Hill	Wednesday & Thursday	10.30am

Other Childrens Programs

Year One Frog Club is an annual program run specifically for children in Year One. Aimed at encouraging reading at this crucial stage, children participate in a fun program which includes rewards such as stamps and lucky dips. The program usually runs from March to November each year.
The Holiday Reading Adventure runs over the summer school holidays for children from 5 to 15 years old. Rewards such as lucky dips and stamps, as well as great prizes, are a great way to encourage reading.
School Holiday Activities are run during most school holidays. Details will be available on the event calendar.

Resources for Parents

Seminar Program

The library runs a number of seminars throughout the year on a wide variety of subjects with interesting and informative guest speakers. For information on current seminars contact your local branch or to the event calendar.

Book Clubs

Come along to one of the book clubs held at each of five libraries. Each club has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with lots of laughs. All welcome. For meeting exact meeting dates please see the event calendar.

Carlingford

When:	2nd Thursday of the month
Time:	11am

Select any book, read it, write a book review and discuss the book at the next meeting.

Castle Hill

When:	1st Thursday of the month
Time:	10.30am

Dural

When:	1st Friday of the month
Time:	10.00am

A casual friendly discussion group where chatting, laughter and morning tea are all on the agenda. Enquiries for titles to be discussed, please phone Dural Library on 9651 2627.

Rouse Hill

When:	2nd Thursday of every month
Time:	7.30pm

Read one book per month and join in a group discussion at the next meeting. Enquiries for titles to be discussed, please phone Vinegar Hill Memorial Library on 8889 5200.

The Hills Online Book Club

Do you want to be part of an online book club? Take a look at the Library's online book club and post a review.

Knitting and Craft Groups

Come along and join a friendly, informal group and learn a new craft. Bring 4mm needles and wool. Donations of wool accepted at every branch, these donations are used to knit blankets for charity. For meeting exact meeting dates click here.

Baulkham Hills Yarn on a Stick or Two

When:	Fortnightly on Thursdays
Time:	11.00am -12.00pm

Carlingford Yarn on a Stick or Two

When:	Fortnightly on Tuesdays
Time:	10.00am -12pm

Dural Yarn on a Stick or Two

When:	Fortnightly on Wednesdays
Time:	10.00am -12pm

Get Crafty at Castle Hill

If you’re interested in anything craft related, beginner or expert, come along and meet people with similar interests at the Get Crafty Group. You could learn or teach someone a new craft such as needlepoint, quilting or knitting.FREE- (please bring own materials)

When:	Every Monday during school terms
Time:	10.30am-12.30pm

Get Crafty at Rouse Hill

When:	Every 3rd Friday of the month
Time:	10.30am -12.30pm

Save Power Kits

Learn how to save power and money at home by borrowing a Save Power Kit from The Hills Shire libraries. The kits are available for loan free of charge to Library members and are part of the NSW Government’s Save Power program.

Save Power Kits can be borrowed for free from any Hills Shire Library and used in the comfort of your own home to work out what’s using the most power, what’s wasting power and the easiest ways you can save.

Kits can be borrowed by Library members who are over 18 for 7 days with no renewals.

See staff for more or visit OEH’s Save Power website at www.savepower.nsw.gov.au/librarykit .

Rapid Reads

Are you looking to borrow NEW BESTSELLERS from the Library? Come in and check out our Rapid Reads collection held at Baulkham Hills, Carlingford, Castle Hill, and Rouse Hill.

With titles changing constantly you’re always likely to find something you will love.
To keep items moving the following will apply:

Short term 7 day loan only
No renewals
No reservations
Maximum of 5 books per borrower

Do you need help to remember the date your books are due? Sign up for a courtesy reminder e-mail at any Hills Shire Library.

Computer Access

You need to be a member of the Library to access computers. For customers under the age of 18 permission for computer/Internet access must be given by a parent or legal guardian.
Internet is available at all branches free of charge.
Word processing: MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel are available at all branches free of charge. It is advisable to book.
Email is available at all branches. A fee is payable.
Printing in black & white is available at 20 cents per page.
Online Databases may be accessed at all branches

You can reserve a Library PC session via the Web on our online computer booking system. See our reservation FAQ for more information.

Frequently asked questions

What is the function of the online reservation system?
The online reservation system will allow you to reserve one of the computers at the library via the internet.
Is there a charge for reserving computers?
There is no charge involved in making online bookings. The only applicable charges are if you plan to use e-mail, email payments should be made at the front counter before the start of your session.
Can I make more than one booking?
All accounts are limited to one booking per day.
How long can I make a booking for?
The maximum amount of time allowed for a booking is one hour. A second one hour booking may be available by asking staff for assistance. Please note that extensions are subject to computer availability.
Am I guaranteed a computer?
As long as you have made a booking correctly you are guaranteed a computer on arrival at the library.
What if I am running late?
Your reservation will be held for 10mins from the booking time. If you do not make it within the 10 minute grace period, the computer will be released to the general public.
What if I want to cancel a booking?
You can cancel your booking online or by calling one of the branches during their opening hours.
Can I book more than one computer at a time?
You cannot book more than one computer at a time on the same card.
Can I choose a computer?
Whilst you can select a branch for your booking, you cannot pick a particular computer within that branch. The computers are assigned on an availability basis.
What if I dont have a pin number? How do I get one?
Pin numbers can be set within the library by swiping your membership card through one of the photocopiers or by using the computer reservation station. Alternatively you can ask staff for assistance.
Can I get help using the online reservation system?
Assistance is available by calling any one of our branches during their opening hours.

Photocopying

Card-operated photocopiers are available at all branches. Click here for details of charges.

Fax

A fax service is available at all branches. Click here for details of charges.

Home Library Service

Free delivery is available to frail and housebound residents. Conditions do apply. For more information contact your local branch for details.

Seniors Bus

Fortnightly visits to the Library for seniors without their own transport are available. For more information contact Community Transport on 9761 7604.

Council Services

A full range of council services are available at Castle Hill Library and Vinegar Hill Memorial Library. Payment may be made by EFTPOS, credit card* or cheque. No cash accepted.
Payments for rates, dog registrations and 149 certificates can also be made at Baulkham Hills Library, Carlingford Library and Dural Library by EFTPOS, credit card* or cheque. No cash is accepted.

*There is a 1% surcharge on all credit card transactions.

Click here for more details about Council's customer service centres.

Justice of the Peace

A Justice of the Peace is available at:

Vinegar Hill Memorial Library, (29 Main Street Rouse Hill Town Centre) on Tuesdays (10am -1pm),

Castle Hill Library (cnr Castle and Pennant Streets, Castle Hill) on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10am - 1pm),

Baulkham Hills Library (Railway Street Baulkham Hills) on Mondays (10am - 1pm),

Carlingford Library (Lloyds Ave Carlingford) on Saturdays (10am -12.30pm) and

Dural Library (Pellitt Lane Dural) on Wednesdays 1.00pm-3.00pm

No bookings necessary.

Justices of the Peace are also available at Council's main Customer Service Building at 129 Showground Road, Castle Hill (Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm). Certification of more than 5 copies requires booking on (02) 9843 0555.

Meeting/Study rooms

Castle Hill Library has three rooms and Vinegar Hill Memorial Library has two rooms that can be used. Charges apply to book these rooms. It is advisable to book ahead.

Cafe

Castle Hill Library has a cafe which operates during library opening hours. For more information phone 9680 9799.