Changing face of our libraries
Published on 29 August 2018
Libraries provide an important pathway for local communities through education.
They are a space for people to study, learn, gather as a community group and engage with other locals – and Council is revolutionising our library services to meet our evolving community needs.
Our libraries now do much more than lend books. They provide students, young and old, with everything they need from free computer and wi-fi access to small business workshops and English conversation lessons, in a comfortable environment. Libraries are also important community hubs for people to come together. You can now even get a coffee to enjoy with your friends as you work and learn.
At Fairfield City libraries these days you can attend some of the hundreds of workshops each year on business basics, guitar lessons, storytime sessions, art classes, English language studies or children's craft. Membership also gives you access to borrow or download from thousands of books, audiobooks and magazines in countless languages.
You can also access programs, qualified teachers and tutors to assist with your studies. Recently we released the GoChip Beam, which you can borrow to stream movies and television series to your phone, tablet or laptop (without wi-fi access).
At Whitlam Library in Cabramatta we have an exhibition and performance space and café, and we've extended the opening hours to midnight on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. This is to accommodate the community's growing needs to work during the day and study at night.
You can even do Council business at our libraries, including paying your rates, registering your pet, making waste enquiries or accessing forms for tree permits or driveways.
We have completely changed the way our libraries provide services to the community. And there are many more exciting innovations still to come. If you are not already a member, I encourage you to take out library membership which is free and take advantage of all our modern libraries have to offer.
