St Marys Library Verified listing

St Marys Library is the second largest branch in the Penrith area. The Resources section (i.e. the Library staff who catalogue the Library's collection) and the Library Children’s Inclusion Service are also housed in St Marys. Total area of both these spaces is 920m2.

Collection Strengths

St Marys Library provides a full range of lending categories, both fiction and non-fiction, and formats for all ages. They include the latest bestsellers as well as established and more recent authors from Australia and overseas.

Childrens’ library

The childrens’ section includes picture books, graded readers, first chapter books as well as titles from the Premiers Reading Challenge list.

Regular weekly activity sessions

Story Time for Pre-schoolers (during school terms)

• Tuesdays 10.30am-11.30am

Toy Library (during school terms)

• Tuesdays 10am – 12pm
• Saturday 10am - 12pm

News and foreign languages

Daily newspapers are available to read and there is large range of DVDs and audio CDs to borrow. A small language collection is also available.

Online resources

An extensive collection of online resources including eBooks, eAudio, eMagazines, full text newspaper articles, encyclopaedias, a wide variety of research databases and the language learning program, Transparent Language Online, are available both in the library and from home 24/7 via the library catalogue.

Studiosity, an online tutoring service, is also available for students ranging from years 3 to 12, TAFE and university level and provides assistance from Australian tutors via a messaging service and app. Online services require a current library card membership number to access.

Library Features

Study spaces

Desk seating capacity for approximately 30 people as well as lounge seating capacity. St Marys Library doesn't have designated study rooms or ‘quiet study’ areas.

Technology

• Check-Out Terminals and Return Shelves
• St Marys branch has two self-serve check-out terminals for customers to use to borrow library items as they leave the library. Customers can also return their own loans by placing them on radio frequency identification enabled return shelves.
• Free Wi-Fi
• A free service available to all library visitors (both members and non-members of the library) to use on their own devices.
• Internet Access (Paynet)
• Full public internet access in the Library - fees and conditions apply.
• Internet Access (Freenet)
• Free access provided to a restricted range of selected websites and library subscription services.
• Computer section
• Terminals with USB ports are available for word processing.  Programs include Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint as well as Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Educational Interactive Games for Children
• Terminals are available in the children's area.
• Printing and Photocopying
• A library card or a technology card is required for printing. Credit must be prepaid through the Library's Monitor system. For a full lists of fees please see staff or contact the Library on (02) 4732 7455.
• Scanning.
  Available free of charge.
• Web Print.
  Web Print or wireless printing from your device is now available at all branches via Monitor.

Accessibility

• NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) 
  A screen reader that enables people who are vision-impaired to use computers by reading aloud text on the screen.  All Library PCs have this program installed.
• Hearing Mats
• Smartview Magnifier
  Will magnify and read back to you your letters, photos, forms, newspapers etc.
  Height adjustable PC and study table (electric).
  Other facilities

Community and Library Noticeboard
Public toilets (including disabled access) and Parent Room facilities are available.