5.2. Public Library collection
5.2.1 Lending collection
Libraries Tasmania aims to present a popular, contemporary, and attractive state-wide lending collection comprised of adult and children’s non‑fiction, fiction, and non-book materials, with a focus on current and classic works and a strong commitment to Tasmanian publications and a preference for Australian coverage. It also includes the 26Ten Quick Reads. Further information on this collection is available in the Lending Collection Development Guideline.
The Lending Collection is predominately a floating collection where items are not housed permanently at one specific library but instead shelved at the library where they were most recently checked in.
The movement of lending items is facilitated by:
- A state-wide holds system
- A coordinated monthly transfer system
- The ability for items to be borrowed and returned to any library in the state.
This enables Libraries Tasmania to manage and curate lending collection areas on a state-wide basis, offering a wider range of titles than would be able to be offered if items were only purchased for individual libraries.
5.2.2 General Reference collection
Offers a range of current resources to answer general questions. Standard resources available in a public library include dictionaries, encyclopaedias, almanacs, biographical sources, directories, atlases, bibliographies as well as local studies, and family history items. The size, range and breadth of individual library collections vary according to the size and needs of the local community. Further information for this collection type is available in Reference Collection Development Guideline.