The existing Southern Tablelands Library Cooperative, which involves Upper Lachlan Shire, Goulburn Mulwaree and Yass Valley Councils, will cease on June 30, 2017.

It follows a decision by Yass Valley Council to exit the Library Cooperative.

Upper Lachlan Shire Council’s general manager John Bell said the new agreement, which commences on July 1 for a period of one year, with an option to extend for a further five years, would ensure the needs of library users continue to be met.

“Under the new agreement Crookwell, Gunning and Goulburn libraries will continue to operate in the same way they do now – with shared access to each other’s collections,” Mr Bell said.

“New library cards will be phased in and issued free of charge to Upper Lachlan library members and a new website will be created to enable library users to reserve and renew items and search the catalogue, access e-resources and online resources, and find out what’s on at their local library.

“In a first for the town, Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s mobile library service the ‘Big Read Bus’ will also visit Taralga every three weeks, from July 7, 2017, as part of a 12-month trial.” 

Library members will be able to borrow a wide variety of books, movies and music from the bus and a librarian will be on board to assist library members with reserving items and accessing a range of online resources. 

From June 30, 2017 library members will no longer be able to use their Upper Lachlan Shire Council’s Library Card to borrow at Yass.