AWA – New digital access partnership with Selwyn Libraries

Christchurch City Libraries have partnered with Selwyn Libraries to operate a shared digital collection for a two-year trial period.

From 1 July, library members in Christchurch and Selwyn will have access to an increased range of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines available through the new service, which uses the Libby app. 

The service will be named AWA, after the network of rivers and streams that flow through the Canterbury landscape.

“We felt it appropriate to name our shared digital platform AWA, drawing on the symbolism held within our rivers and waterways. The idea is one of flowing between places and people, streaming and growing,” says Acting Head of Libraries and Information Rosie Levi.

“We anticipate this arrangement will give library users across both networks greater choice due to a richer variety of content, particularly new and popular items."

Ms Levi says the partnership makes good sense, given the close boundaries between the two local authorities, where many residents live in Selwyn and work in Christchurch City and vice versa.

“Currently, children and young people aged 0-18 years in the Selwyn District can register for a Christchurch City Libraries card to access our physical collections through the Gammack Trust.

“The digital initiative builds on the existing foundation of this arrangement, and we hope it will foster and strengthen relationships between the two organisations,” she says.

“The costs are within existing budgets, and the new service delivers better value for money through a growth in the user base and in expected collection turnover.”

Over the trial period both Selwyn and Christchurch will conduct regular monitoring of data and usage with a review of the collaboration taking place prior to June 2027. 

Ms Levi says she’s hopeful the two-year trial will prove successful and lead to other opportunities for collaboration.

AWA FAQ

  • Our switch to AWA, our new shared digital collection with Selwyn Libraries, will be pretty seamless. Christchurch City Libraries customers who are already signed into the Libby App or our classic OverDrive site won’t need to do anything. On the 1 July, our Go Live date, they will see the collection has changed its name to AWA.

    New Libby App customers will follow the prompts to find their library. A search for Christchurch City Libraries will guide them to the AWA collection. Then they select Christchurch City Libraries from the AWA dropdown and sign in with their Library card.

    New customers to, or existing customers who've signed out of, our classic OverDrive site will also select the Christchurch City Libraries option from the AWA dropdown to sign in with their Library card.

  • Read the news item about AWA

    How can people log into the new service?
    The transition will be as seamless as possible for library customers. Our Christchurch City Libraries customers who are already signed into the Libby App or our classic OverDrive site won’t need to do anything. On the 1 July, our Go Live date, they will see the collection has changed its name to AWA.

    New Libby customers will follow the prompts to find their library. A search for Christchurch City Libraries will guide them to the AWA collection. Then they select Christchurch City Libraries from the AWA dropdown and sign in with their Library card. New customers to, or existing customers who've signed out of, our classic OverDrive site will also select the Christchurch City Libraries option from the AWA dropdown to sign in with their Library card.

    Why won’t Christchurch residents get the same increase in access to content as Selwyn?
    Due to the difference in population size the Selwyn Libraries initial base collection will be less than Christchurch’s initial base collection.

    Won’t this result in more competition/longer wait time for popular titles?
    Current selection and purchasing criteria is based on availability and customer demand; this will not change with the shared collection.

    Why are we doing this?
    Library users will have more choice due to a richer variety of content, particularly newer and more popular items. The collaboration will help to build relationships between the two organisations, encouraging sharing of ideas and learning for the enhancement of services for all library members. 

    How much is this going to cost?
    The costs are within existing budgets.

    How are you able to provide this service without it costing more?
    The new service delivers better value for money through a growth in the user base and in expected collection turnover. 

    Is this a permanent arrangement?
    This is a trial partnership lasting for a two-year period, from 1 July 2025. Over that timeframe both Selwyn Libraries and Christchurch City Libraries will conduct regular monitoring of data and usage. Parties will meet twice per annum to review the past period and forward plan. Prior to June 2027, we will review the success of the collaboration. 

    Why aren’t other Canterbury councils included?
    If the digital access partnership is successful, other opportunities to collaborate may be considered, such as programming and events, developing shared staff professional development, or expanding the arrangement to include the other Canterbury councils.

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