Western Bay of Plenty libraries will turn a new digital page this month with the launch of their new library system, Kotui.

The Western Bay Libraries group is joining more than 60 libraries nationwide already using Kotui – a shared library system offering benefits to customers.

Western Bay Libraries' online catalogues will be unavailable from June 22-24. Customers can talk to staff if they wish to renew items.

As the system changeover takes place next week, library users are advised that online catalogues will be unavailable from Monday, June 22, to Wednesday, June 24.

Library and Customer Services Team Leader – Te Puke, Christine Busby, says people will need to see staff at any of the libraries to check the catalogue or renew books during this time.

'We want to thank our customers for their patience as we adapt to the new system.”

Christine says Kotui will be easier and more interesting for customers to use online, and will increase the number of books and resources available.

Kotui is a shared library system, which allows libraries to increase their buying power and get more value for money.

'The catalogue will search across our electronic databases, our e-books and the usual catalogue – so our customers will easily have access to a wider range of information and resources,” says Christine.

'Because it's a database that is nationwide, we'll have better information about our resources available to the customers.

'It's about libraries working together to provide all of their customers with easy, fast and effective access to the local, national and international resources they need to live, learn and earn.”

Western Bay Libraries is joining Kotui collaboratively with Rotorua and Whakatane.

Christine says librarians will be happy to show users Kotui's new features.

'The catalogue is easy to use and an improvement on what we currently have, so anyone wanting to make the most of it can let us know and we'll go through it with them.

'Library teams I've spoken to already using Kotui are delighted with the service, and say users are loving the exciting new interface and the spread of information and materials at their fingertips.”

Kotui is owned and operated by the National Library of New Zealand in conjunction with the Aotearoa Peoples Network – Kaharoa.

'It's encouraging to see so many New Zealanders now able to benefit from having access to a modern, state-of-the-art library system,” says National Librarian, Bill Macnaught.

'Supporting the work of public libraries in New Zealand and working collaboratively is an important part of what National Library does and Kotui is a great example of how this works in practice.”

Kotui will be available at Western Bay libraries from June 25.

There are four Library and Service Centres in the Western Bay District: Waihi Beach, Katikati, Omokoroa and Te Puke.

Together the libraries stock more than 88,000 items for borrowing, including books, DVDs, and e-collection books.