Saturday, April 4, 2026

Eastwood Library to trial 24/7 operation

City of Ryde Council says students, night owls and workers will soon be able to visit Eastwood Library 24/7 to study, read, and relax under a groundbreaking new 12-month after-hours trial commencing this month.

The trial, which follows the successful adoption of after-hours library services in other areas of Sydney, will provide anytime access to Eastwood Library’s full suite of extensive resources for community members who find it difficult to visit during normal operating hours.

Online registrations for the new service will open on Wednesday 11 February, ahead of 30-minute on-site induction sessions which will commence on Monday 16 February, covering safety information and terms and conditions. The library will not be staffed during the extended hours of the trial.

The 12-month trial of the 24/7 Eastwood Library will then begin at 5pm on Monday 23 February.

After-hours access will be provided to City of Ryde Library members who:

  • Are aged 17 years or over (note: parents and carers can list children under 17 years who may accompany them to the library);
  • Live, work or study in City of Ryde (evidence required);
  • Complete an on-site induction
  • Have a current email address and mobile number.

The full terms and conditions of use can be found on the library website.

Mayor, Trenton Brown said the trial will add a new level of access to an already invaluable resource.

“I’m thrilled that the after-hours library trial will soon be commencing and excited by the new opportunity if offers the entire City of Ryde community,” Mayor Brown said.

“The after-hours access means students will be able to pop in for a late-night study session, avid readers can undertake an early morning hunt for a new novel, and workers will have a quiet place to unwind after a long day.

“We remain open to community feedback to ensure the future plans for the extended hours of libraries meets community needs.”

He said 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.

To find out more, visit www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/AfterHoursLibrary.

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