You told us you wanted to access Watsons Bay Library at more convenient times and we listened.
We’re delighted to offer an additional 19 hours of library availability, during a six-month trial starting Monday 18 November 2024. Library members can register to access Watsons Bay Library outside normal staffed hours by filling in the registration form on the Library website.
During the Additional Member Access Hours, members will be able to access:
Library Hours (staffed)
Monday: 2:00 PM–5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 PM–7:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Friday: 2:00 PM–5:00 PM
Additional Member Access Hours (unstaffed) starting Monday 18 November 2024
Monday: 9:30 AM–2:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM–2:00 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM–4:00 PM
To find out more and register to access the library during the Additional Member Access Hours, please complete the registration form on the Library website.
Security and infrastructure upgrades
We recently completed security and infrastructure upgrades to give our members more flexibility to enjoy the Library. These upgrades included:
- State-of-the-art security systems to ensure safety
- New access panel for easy entry
- Enhanced lighting and monitoring
- Duress alarms for added protection
- New self-check machines for borrowing and returns
Additional Member Access Hours Trial Period
We are trialling an additional 19 hours of unstaffed community access per week at Watsons Bay Library. This includes opening the library on Saturdays and extending hours on weekdays, bringing the total opening hours to 48 per week. This initiative aligns with our commitment to better serve your diverse schedules and preferences.
During the trial we will assess the effectiveness of the extended hour’s system, gathering more feedback from you to inform our decisions moving forward. A report will be prepared for Council at the end of the trial period, summarising the outcomes and user feedback.
How we consulted with the community
In late 2023, we consulted with the community to gather feedback about a trial of additional unstaffed community access hours at Watsons Bay Library. We invited community members to complete an online survey on this page and share their thoughts at pop-up community engagement events including a pop-up event at Watsons Bay Shops on 28 November. Your responses were overall incredibly positive, expressing a strong desire for extended library opening hours, especially on weekends and weekday mornings.
On 2 April 2024, a report was made to Council's Finance, Community & Services Committee recommending that Woollahra Libraries trial additional unstaffed community access hours at Watsons Bay Library, based on community feedback. The recommendation was accepted and the trial will begin on 18 November.
