Ballarat Library at Town Hall FAQ
The Ballarat Library at Town Hall is set to become city’s central library from 10 November 2022. The traditional home of the Ballarat Central Library at 178 Doveton Street North will not be open to the public after Wednesday 9 November.
On this page
- What is happening?
- Why is it happening?
- When is it happening?
- Where can I park to access the Ballarat Library at Town Hall?
- What are the opening hours of the Ballarat Library at Town Hall?
- Where exactly in the Town Hall will the library be located?
- Is there an accessible entrance to the Town Hall library?
- Are there public toilets?
- Are there baby change facilities?
- Can I still order books?
- Will the collection at the Ballarat Library at Town Hall be the same?
- Where are all of the books that were at Doveton St?
- Can I access a book that is in storage?
- Can I return a book to Town Hall after hours?
- Can I still use a computer?
- Will there be storytime at Town Hall?
- Will there be other library events held at Town Hall?
- What will the new library be like? Will there be new facilities?
- When will the new library be open?
- Can I visit other parts of Town Hall?
What is happening?
The services of the Ballarat Central Library are being transferred temporarily to a pop-up library at the Ballarat Town Hall.
Why is it happening?
The Central Ballarat Library is undergoing a $7.48 million redevelopment and upgrade, as approved by Council at the October 2022 council meeting.
The Doveton Street library cannot remain open to the public during the construction, with the Town Hall library to serve as an alternative option.
It will be known as the Ballarat Library at Town Hall.
When is it happening?
The transition is expected to occur in mid-November, 2022 and will take about 12 months to complete.
Where can I park to access the Ballarat Library at Town Hall?
On-street parking is available in the surrounding streets and the first hour is free throughout the entire Ballarat CBD.
You can read more about parking in Ballarat on our website.
The first two hours are also free at Central Square Carpark, which can be accessed via Dana Street.
What are the opening hours of the Ballarat Library at Town Hall?
The Ballarat Library at Town Hall’s opening hours are:
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Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
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Saturday, 10am-4pm.
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Sunday, 1pm-4pm.
Where exactly in the Town Hall will the library be located?
The library is on the ground floor, in the eastern corner of the building.
If you are entering via the Sturt Street entrance through the main doors, it will be on your left.
If you are entering via Bath Lane, walk through the Visitor Information Centre and the library will be on your right.
Is there an accessible entrance to the Town Hall library?
Yes. This entrance is from Bath Lane, through the Visitor Information Centre.
Are there public toilets?
Yes. These are adjacent to the library space.
Fully accessible toilets are located within the Visitor Information Centre of Town Hall.
There is also a public kitchenette for tea and coffee.
Are there baby change facilities?
There are plans to have accessible baby change facilities installed at Ballarat Town Hall.
Can I still order books?
Yes, you can place holds on collection items, borrow and return at The Ballarat Library at Town Hall.
Will the collection at the Ballarat Library at Town Hall be the same?
Due to storage space difficulties, the collection will be smaller than what is traditionally available at the Doveton Street library.
The browsing collection at the Town Hall will be refreshed weekly with new titles.
Library users are also encouraged to visit the larger collections available at Sebastopol and Wendouree libraries, and to explore the libraries e-collection to download.
Items held at Sebastopol and Wendouree can also be placed on hold and collected from Town Hall.
Where are all of the books that were at Doveton St?
Due to space constraints, some books are held in storage.
Collection has been transferred to Sebastopol and Wendouree branches and the remainder is in storage for the duration of the redevelopment.
Can I access a book that is in storage?
Unfortunately, not all books will remain accessible due to limited space.
Library staff have made the most popular collections available, including adult fiction, picture books, DVDs, large print, junior fiction, adult and junior non-fiction.
Library users are encouraged to place holds on catalogue items, and can collect from the library branch or outreach location of their choice.
Holds can be placed via the library website, the library app or by seeking assistance from staff.
Can I return a book to Town Hall after hours?
After hours returns are not available at Ballarat Library at Town Hall.
However, after hours chutes are available 24/7 at Sebastopol and Wendouree branches.
Items can also be returned at the Library Outreach services and to the Eureka Centre research hub, during its hours of operation.
Can I still use a computer?
Yes.
There are eight public computers at Town Hall with printing, scanning and photocopying facilities.
Town Hall will also have free WiFi.
Will there be storytime at Town Hall?
Storytime sessions will be held at Town Hall and will continue to be held at Outreach, Sebastopol and Wendouree.
Check the library website for session times.
Will there be other library events held at Town Hall?
The full extent of library events is yet to be full determined but Technology Q&As will still run.
These are bookable sessions for assistance with any element of technology – using a computer or mobile device, accessing online services.
What will the new library be like? Will there be new facilities?
The redevelopment of the Ballarat Library includes an expansion to the second level of the building, a new entrance, purpose-built teaching areas, quiet areas, open space for socialisation, specialised children’s and family areas.
New facilities to be constructed at the Ballarat Library include a multi-purpose teaching space on the new second level, that can be used for hands-on activities such as cooking, art and more.
More information about the new library project and further design images can be found on the City of Ballarat website.
When will the new library be open?
It is expected the Doveton Street library will reopen in late 2023.
Can I visit other parts of Town Hall?
Ballarat Town Hall tours run for 20 to 30 minutes at 2pm on Wednesdays and Fridays from the Visitor Information Centre.