Lake Mac Libraries Extend Daily Self-Access Hours Across Six Branches

newy.com.au – Extended self-access hours have been introduced across six Lake Macquarie library branches, allowing members to enter and use facilities from 6am to 9pm every day, starting Monday 28 July.

The change applies to the Toronto, Speers Point, Belmont, Sugar Valley, Cardiff and Wangi Wangi libraries. It marks an expansion from the previous daily window of 7am to 7pm and is available exclusively to members who have completed both an online and onsite induction for each branch.

Lake Macquarie City Council’s Coordinator Special Projects Jane Britt said the increased access was in response to growing demand since the service launched 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.

According to Council data, the number of monthly self-access visits rose from an average of 342 in the 2023–2024 financial year to 880 per month in the most recent year. Additional branches are also expected to join the program, with Charlestown set to be added later in 2025 and Morisset to follow in 2026.

During self-access hours, members can borrow and return items, collect reservations, use public computers and wi-fi, and access printing and photocopying services. Further details and sign-up instructions are available at library.lakemac.com.au.