Both libraries now open until 8 pm on weeknights

Townora's Central Library and Riverside Branch now stay open until 8 pm from Monday to Friday, adding two extra hours every weeknight. The change gives students, shift workers and busy families more time to borrow books, study and use computers after the usual working day ends.

Why the hours have changed

A survey of more than 3,200 residents last year found that later opening hours were the most requested improvement to library services. Many people told us that they could only visit after work or after picking up children from school, by which time the doors were already closed. Extending the hours was the simplest way to respond.

What is available after 5 pm

Every service remains available until closing time, including borrowing and returns, free Wi-Fi, public computers and printing. Study rooms can be booked in two-hour blocks, and the Central Library will run adult learning sessions, from digital skills to English conversation, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

A library that closes when the working day ends is closed to the very people who need it most.

What this means for you

Weekend opening hours are unchanged. You can reserve a study room through the library website or by calling 311, and staff will be on hand each evening to help with enquiries. We will review attendance after twelve months to make sure the new hours are working for the community.