Lake Macquarie's public libraries have been given a high-tech upgrade with the city's collection now available at the fingertips of smartphone users.
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The council has launched a Lake Mac Libraries app, which allows users to track loans, access e-books and search the entire 600,000-plus item catalogue to view and reserve items.
The app's launch on Tuesday coincided with the unveiling of a new website and self-checkout kiosks at the Belmont, Charlestown, Cardiff, Speers Point, Swansea, Toronto and Morisset branches.
The council's manager arts, culture and tourism, Jacqui Hemsley, said the kiosks were operated via a touchscreen to make borrowing easier and quicker.
"They've specifically been designed for people of all ages and literacy levels," she said.
"Across the board, our aim is to bring our libraries into the modern era and make them more accessible to everyone in the community."
The new app allows customers to use their smartphone as a library card and manage the accounts of family members on one device.
Users of the app can also scan the barcode of any book, anywhere, to check if it is in the city's collection.
"If it is, they can then reserve it at their local library," Ms Hemsley said.
Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said the streamlined website was easier to navigate and compatible across mobile, desktop and tablet devices.
"Lake Macquarie residents certainly love our libraries and all they have to offer," Cr Fraser said.
"This will make it even easier to search for and borrow the wide range of titles and items in our collection."
