Library lovers will have a better chance to get their reading fix, with extended self-access hours across six Lake Mac Libraries branches coming into effect on Monday 28 July.
Anyone signed up to the self-access service, where inducted members can access participating branches at irregular hours, will from Monday be able to access Toronto, Speers Point, Belmont, Sugar Valley, Cardiff and Wangi Wangi branches seven days a week, 6am-9pm.
Self-access at participating branches was previously 7am-7pm.
Lake Macquarie City Council Coordinator Special Projects Jane Britt said self-access had steadily grown in Lake Macquarie since its introduction in 2021.
"Over the past 12 months, self-access use has more than doubled, which demonstrates the community's increasing awareness of the service, and their desire to access our libraries outside traditional operating hours," she said.
"In 2023-2024, we had an average 342 self-access visits a month. That rose to 880 monthly visits last financial year, and we expect that growth to continue."
Two more libraries are set to join the program in the next 18 months: Charlestown later this year, and Morisset in 2026.
Services available during self-access hours include borrowing and returning items, picking up reservations, use of public PCs and wi-fi, printing and photocopying.
Members who want to sign up for the service complete an online induction form for each branch they want to use, then complete a brief induction onsite during staffed hours.
Go to library.lakemac.com.au
