Visiting a Sunshine Coast library can be a great experience. It’s free to join, and they offer free community learning programs. They also offer mobile libraries, and you can get help from their staff.

Membership is free

Whether you are a youngster or an adult, there are plenty of benefits to becoming a member of Sunshine Coast libraries. You can borrow books and enjoy free access to e-books, digital magazines and other digital resources. You can also take part in events and technology information sessions. In addition, you can access the Sunshine Coast Libraries’ free online catalog and renew books.

To join the Sunshine Coast Libraries, you will need to show proof of identity and residency. This may include your driver’s licence, property tax notice, health card, utility bill, rental agreement, or a recent bank statement.

Those who live on the Sunshine Coast and want to join the library can sign up in person at any of the eight branches, or by completing a digital library application online. You will be able to borrow up to 20 items at a time, and you will have 28 days to renew. You can also place items on hold with eLibCat.

Free community learning programs

During the recent 2018-2019 financial year, the Sunshine Coast Council added 60KW of solar power to the grid in the region. In addition, it installed 260 free public Wi-Fi access points in 45 locations around the region.

The Sunshine Coast Library is currently entering a new service delivery model. In addition to the usual lending books and media, they are also offering new free community learning programs.

The University of the Sunshine Coast has also taken a leading role in introducing new programs. Some of these include the Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards, a Startup Weekend and the Generation Innovation Challenge. This is a great opportunity for the community to be exposed to free digital library resources. The University has also advised local industries on their talent needs.

Several state and private schools have also jumped on the robotics bandwagon. The Sunshine Coast Library has also expanded their popular CoderDojo program to three libraries. The program provides free, introductory courses in programming technology.

Mobile libraries

Besides the usual suspects (library branches), Sunshine Coast Council has a few mobile libraries in their midst. There are about twenty in total, most of which can be found in the region’s major hubs. These elongated vehicles, albeit rickety in appearance, are mobile versions of the usual suspects, but with a few extra bells and whistles thrown into the mix. They are a hoot, to say the least.

The granddaddy of the mobile library fleet is a shiny black burgundy mobile. As with the rest of the fleet, the hulking hulk is well serviced by a dedicated driver and a handful of attendants. In addition, the mobile library is well stocked with books and other esoteric goodies. The aforementioned esoteric goodies can be found in a number of categories, including sports and fitness, literature and music, and community resources. The most comprehensive list of offerings can be found on the Council’s website. For the most part, mobile libraries are an easy way to access a library, but not always.