Campbelltown city Council is digitising its four local libraries with software that allows members of the community to browse and access services via an app.

Council says the introduction of the integrated management software means local residents will have access to online one-stop library services on their smartphones, giving library staff more time to service the community.

Campbelltown City Council Libraries currently cater for more than 170,000 people and with the population expected to grow, Council says the tech upgrade is an investment in the future.

Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic says the move reflects feedback from library users.

“This new library management system will make browsing our rich collection a smoother and even more customer-friendly experience,” he said.

Cloud-based software

The system uses Australian-developed cloud and AI-based software system Spydus, which is  currently used by 2,500 libraries around the world.

The management tool enables members of the community to browse for books via an online public access catalogue and provides a doorway to services including local history archives.

It also provides digital asset management, business intelligence and event management options.

Research by the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance has reinforced that digital disruption and technological advancement is fundamentally changing the way library services are being delivered.

A majority of library managers and staff also believe that a library’s role is to offer access to technologies which allow citizens to engage, free of charge, in digital spaces.

“Ubiquitous internet connections have also brought access to library resources to anyone with a computer and staff and managers also believe that the library was a venue for the showcasing of new technologies improve community access to and use of libraries,” the report says.