Lake Mac Libraries have been booking big wins in 2026 with a series of novel initiatives enticing residents to drop in to their local branches.
Senior high school students can embrace a quiet space to lock into their homework with the advent of 'Study Hubs', an expansion on the growing out of hours self-access option available at select libraries.
The trial program offers a safe and quiet environment for independent study, helping students to succeed during their most critical school years.
"Study Hubs extends our successful self-access model to support Year 11 and 12 students, offering flexibility and convenience beyond regular staffed hours," Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Arts Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said.
For those seeking to express their creative spirit a new textile lab is making its mark at Toronto Library.
Designed for all skill levels, the lab supports slow making, skill sharing and creative exploration using fibres, fabrics and textile processes.
The lab hosts tutorials and drop-in sessions for a wide range of creative pursuits, including cosplay repairs and makers workshops.
"Whether you're trying to move the needle on your sewing skills, working on a personal project or learning something new, you'll find a welcoming place to connect and create at the textile lab," Ms Hemsley said.
The Little Libraries program also continues to expand in 2026, with eight pre-schools receiving a curated collection of books in 2026 to support early literacy in targeted areas.
Nords Wharf, Windale, Cardiff, Glendale, Edgeworth, Blackalls Park, Wangi Wangi and Cooranbong pre-schools were selected for the second iteration of the program, building on last year's successful roll out which reached more than 600 local families.
"The response from children, educators and families has been really encouraging," Cultural Outreach and Volunteer Lead Alessandro de Franzoni said.
"Preschools have told us they're seeing more reading at home, and families who weren't previously connected with our services have joined the library as a direct result of the program.
"The Little Libraries collections, including culturally relevant stories that resonate with children, have sparked a fresh excitement about books and reading across our target areas."
