The City of Ryde is commencing its first 24/7 after-hours library trial, which aims to give customers the ability to visit unstaffed library branches outside of regular operating hours.
The 12-month trial for after-hours access will be undertaken at Eastwood Library from early 2026, following the implementation of all planning conditions.
Eastwood Library will be holding 30-minute in-person induction sessions with library members from January 2026 that cover safety information and terms and conditions. Once members have completed an induction, their membership will be updated, and after-hours access will be made available. Induction registrations will open in January.
During after-hours access, all library spaces and self-service facilities will be available. Users will be able to utilise study and reading spaces, return most borrowed items, borrow using the self-checker and use library computers and printers.
City of Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown said the trial will add a new level of access to an already invaluable resource.
"The after-hours access is not only valuable for students needing quiet spaces and access to essential resources, but also for the wider community who can read while winding down after a day at work or take advantage of a quiet place to use our online resources," Mayor Brown said.
"We remain open to community feedback to ensure the future plans for the extended hours of libraries meets community needs."
Anyone using after-hours access should be aware that the library is not staffed during this time. Staff will not be available to assist users with borrowing or reference inquiries, technology issues or other concerns.
City of Ryde Libraries have taken thorough steps to ensure library users are safe when accessing the library after-hours. These include a security guard, two-factor authentication for access, upgraded CCTV and other measures.
