If lockdown for you is feeling a little like Groundhog Day – our Library2U delivery service has got you covered.

Our Librarian’s Choice option means our Librarians who are absolute experts in all things reading and watching will pick something especially for you. Tell them what you’re interested in or your preferred genre, and they’ll get to work selecting items that we know you’ll love. This option means you can read, listen or watch something you may never have picked for yourself!

Our Librarians are surrounded by our collection of over 400,000 items and they really know their stuff.

Meet Olga Thomas, she’s been working in Libraries on the Northern Beaches for three years. Olga is just one of our amazing Library staff who will choose for you, making your lockdown days a little brighter

How do you select items for a Librarian’s Choice order?

Firstly I start from the information given by the customers, then I usually check the loans history to see what they borrowed previously. If I still don’t have enough information I might turn to our online websites or to Google to look for more information (i.e. who else writes like this author or book recommendations for a certain age group).

What do you love about selecting for Librarian’s Choice?

I love the challenge of being able to recommend something new our reader might not think of reading otherwise and also knowing that we are helping people.

Why are you and your team so good at selecting?

I think we are good at doing this because of our own reading and selection experiences and also coming from different backgrounds. I know, for example, if I get a request for an adult graphic novel, I can pass it on to one of my colleagues, who likes reading those books herself.

Any tips for locals making a Librarian’s Choice order so they receive an item they will enjoy?

I would ask you to put in as much information as possible to make it easier for us to match your request with the books you would like. Even things like the age and gender of children, what kind of genres you like or what are your interests are very helpful.

And how are you keeping your spirits up during this lockdown?

We work with the music on in the library and I personally love to go walking whenever I can. And of course read a good book, preferably light-hearted with a happy ending!

To use the service, download the Library app or visit our website. The Library app is a great way to keep track of your loans, renew items, browse the eLibrary and much more.

Please note, you must live in the Northern Beaches Local Government Area and be a current Library member to borrow.