Libraries

Dear SG,

Another thing I miss in SG is your library... You know how much I love going to the libraries. I wish I could just spend my time in a cosy chair and read non-stop. (This and computer game playing explained the reason for my myopia)

There's libraries here too and they are pretty well equipped. The subject range is pretty wide but the size isn't quite as big as our average library. Then again, the libraries here do exchange their selection around so it's possible to see something new each time. Also, the libraries here are manage by different Counties, I was told the library manage by Auckland City is much bigger.

I haven't had the pleasure of visiting that one, the libraries I frequent all belongs to the Manukau Town Council. If I need to borrow books from that library, I WILL need to apply for a different library card, one that is for the Auckland City Council's library. SG is easier, one card from the National Library Board if you are not a citizen or PR, or simply just with our Identity Card.

Another cute differences between the libraries here in NZ and in SG is the book drop. Both countries offer book drops which are wonderful for folks like me who could never return my library books during operating hours. But in SG, we are only allow to drop the books back in one at a time. The scanner automatically checks in the book so that we qualify for another book if we so desire. There is no scanner in NZ, we'll just squeeze as many books as the slit would allow and drop the whole lot in. The books will fall into a bin and gets scanned in manually the next day.

Now, you might think that NZ's a little behind us when it comes to automation of books returned. SG used to operate like this but we are now fully automated. NZ is also automated when it comes to checking out of books but it's not a priority for them to scan in returned books. This is because there is almost no limited to the amount of books one can borrow from the NZ library. The last time I borrowed books in SG, the limit was 4 books per person. Sigh... oh well, nothing is perfect in the world.

with love from NZ,
J

Spot the differences:

In NZ, you need different library card to borrow books from libraries operated by different town council

In SG, you will only need one card (identity card) if you are a citizen and PR or a library card if you are not.

In NZ, we can returned books to any libraries so long as the books that belongs to a certain council are returned to the libraries in their district

In SG, the libraries are owned by the same board and we can return the books to any library's' book drop.

In NZ, there is almost no limits to the amount of books we can borrow. We can borrowed up to 19 books if necessary

In SG, the limit is 4 books per person but we can pay a small subscription fee to extend that.

In NZ, the duration we get to keep a book is 30 days. When our books are overdue, an automated phone call will be made from their system with a pre-recorded voice message reminding us to return any overdue library books. The overdue fine will not start immediately, we noticed that we do get an extra day or 2 allowance to return the books before they start fining us.

In SG, the duration is 21 days. If we forget to return, all that's automated is the overdue fee which will increase intelligently by itself every day.