Libraries
The City’s library network lent out almost 1.5 million books, CDs and DVDs in 2009/10 – an increase of 21.5 per cent since 2004/5 when we lent out 1.2 million items.
Membership is free for residents, who borrow an average of 112,000 items a month from the City’s nine libraries located in Surry Hills, Glebe, Ultimo, Circular Quay, Waterloo, Kings Cross, Newtown, Haymarket and Green Square.
The City also financially supports Paddington Library, operates a Library Link at Town Hall House and performs central library functions at Level 3 Town Hall House.
Almost half of the New South Wales population are registered library members with many more people visiting and using public libraries than are registered members.
The City of Sydney Library Network has provided library services to the workers, visitors, and residents of the City of Sydney (the City) for 101 years.
The libraries’ collections have grown from nearly 200,000 items to approximately 500,000 items today.
The City’s Library Network Strategy allows members to borrow items from any branch and return them free to their closest branch.
The City of Sydney Library Network is part of a larger city-based library system, within which there are an additional 27 specialist libraries that users can access including the State Library of NSW and the University of Sydney.
By 2021, the workforce population across the City is projected to be 400,757, an increase of 41,952 workers, or 11.5% (at 2001 there were 360,165 workers) creating additional demand for the City’s library services.
The City plans to build a new library at Redfern/Chippendale and and provide a new library link at Erskineville/Ashmore.
The City’s newest library opened at Green Square in December 2010.
The state-of-the-art Surry Hills Library, which opened in June 2009, has trebled its membership over the last two years. Around 300 new members sign up each month, 800 people pass daily through its doors and its 17,886 members have borrowed 335,000 books.
The Surry Hills Library has a special Late Night Library program which has attracted an enthusiastic response from readers and audiences:
- 10.30pm closing on Wednesdays and live music from 7pm to 9pm
- Adults only programs, such as erotic fan fiction, comedy, journalism and art from 9pm to 10pm
- Programs for 20 – 30 year olds which are attracting a full house on most nights
Also available within the Surry Hills Library and Community Centre are 70 classes each week, including the children's mobile play bus, Sewing and Knitting, Pilates, Tai Chi, Meditation Class, Ninjutsu, Modern Dance for Kids, Multicultural Cooking, English Classes, Computer Classes and Painting & Drawing.
