Library manager Michelle Hudson at the Chargebar. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI
Twelve months after the National Broadband Network arrived at Kiama Library, the building's evolution into a technological hub continues at a rapid rate.
Over the past year the library has created its own Kiama walking tour app, become a connect point for the Headspace youth counselling service and trained more than 1000 Kiama residents, many elderly and at risk of "digital exclusion", through programs associated with the Digital Hub.
The latest piece of equipment to fall into the "something you wouldn't normally see in a library" category is the library's new Chargebar, with Kiama staking a claim to be the first public library in Australia to adopt the free phone charging service.
Library manager Michelle Hudson said the increasing number of mobile devices being used in the library had led to strong demand from visitors for the service.
Library staff were increasingly stumbling across devices in all parts of the library as members of the public went in search of power points to charge their phones, tablets and e-readers, Ms Hudson said.
She said visitors to Kiama were often on the lookout for somewhere to charge their phones.
However, the eight-unit Chargebar only caters for more modern devices such as smart phones and tablets.
Last week the library hosted a visit from the Library Council of NSW, the governing body of the State Library where the library showcased its many programs.
More than 66 per cent of Kiama residents are members of the library, well ahead of the state average.