Forestville: First Sydney public library to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Night owls take note: A Sydney council has opened one of its libraries 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Manly
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It’s heaven on earth for bookworms, night owls and insomniacs — a public library open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In what Northern Beaches Council described as a “first of a kind” trial for Sydney, library card holders can now use the Forestville branch any time of the day or night.
Just like the set up at popular 24-hour gyms, this suburban library will cater to time-poor locals who can’t get to the premises in Darley St during normal opening hours.
Northern Beaches mayor Michael Regan said the 24/7 three-month trial, which started on Monday, was introduced based on feedback from ratepayers who called for increased access to library services and infrastructure after hours.
He said the new opening hours reflected “our community’s changing lifestyle”.
Forestville library is not the first in NSW to offer the 24/7 option.
Parkes Shire Council, in the state’s Central West, boasted in September 2016 that it had opened the first Australian public library to be accessible for members all hours of the day, all days of the week in the tiny town of Tullamore, population less than 500.
The same council then opened another 24/7 branch library at Trundle in December 2018.
And a public library in the small country town of Foster, about 170km southeast of Melbourne, went 24/7 in 2019, the first in Victoria.
Back in June 2012, The City of Sydney considered opening its Customs House Library 24 hours a day, but didn’t push ahead with the plan.
At Forestville, after a compulsory 15-minute safety induction program, library card holders can gain entry whenever they like, by scanning their library barcode and entering an individual PIN.
There will be no staff in the library outside normal opening hours, but CCTV security cameras will be operating. A “duress” button is available in emergencies, which is connected to a security guard service. Children under 16 years must be accompanied and supervised by an adult member.
“Sleeping in the library is not permitted” according to the membership terms and conditions, but hot and cold drinks are allowed, as long as they are not alcoholic.
Library members can check out books, DVDs and magazines themselves and have access to the library’s desktop computers and free Wi-Fi. They can even print, copy and scan books and documents.
Mr Regan said the 24/7 trial came after two years’ of extensive research and development to “create a safe, technological hub that is welcoming and accessible”.
“Our aim is to increase visitation and usage of the Forestville library by re-purposing the space not only to meet current and future community needs, but the growing needs of the 24-hour economy.
“Libraries are changing – they’re not just books – they’re safe, welcoming public spaces with access to modern digital services. This trial is another step towards our libraries becoming accessible community hubs, reflecting our community’s changing lifestyle.
“Since Covid we know we must adapt and change so this provides a modern, flexible workspace for entrepreneurs, small business owners, emerging artists, and young people when they need it, outside normal business hours. It is a win for everyone.”
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