Ballarat Libraries

Ballarat Town Hall is set to be transformed into a pop-up library while redevelopment works are conducted at the Central Ballarat Library on Doveton Street. 

Ballarat Library at Town Hall opened on 10 November.

It is expected the Ballarat Library at Town Hall will be in use for about 12 months while the project is complete. 

The Sebastopol Library and Wendouree Library remain open as usual, and their opening hours and locations can be found below. 

Read more about the library development or read the Frequently Asked Questions.

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Ballarat Library at 178 Doveton Street is closed for redevelopment 

Festive Season Opening Hours

Ballarat Library at Town Hall and Wendouree Library will close from Christmas Day and will reopen on Tuesday 2 January 2024. 

Sebastopol Library will be closed on Christmas Day and Tuesday 26 December and will reopen on Wednesday 27 December at 9.30am. The Sebastopol Library will also be closed on Monday 1 January 2024.  

The Library Outreach Service (Buninyong, Lucas and Delacombe) will be closed from Saturday 23 December and will recommence from Tuesday 30 January 2024.  

Online services will be available during this time, including the library’s downloadable collection. Full details are available at centralhighlandslibraries.org.au  

Regular Opening Hours

Ballarat Library at Town Hall
This venue does not have an after hours return chute.

• Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm
• Saturday 10am - 4pm
• Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Sebastopol Library 

• Monday 9.30am-5pm 
• Tuesday 9.30am-5pm 
• Wednesday 9.30am-5pm 
• Thursday 9.30am-8pm 
• Friday 9.30am-5pm 
• Saturday 9.30am-12pm 
• Sunday Closed 

Wendouree Library 

• Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm 
• Saturday 9.30am-12pm 
• Sunday Closed 

Library Outreach 

• Tuesday, Lucas Community Hub, 10am-12pm
• Thursday, Buninyong Community House, 2pm-5pm 
• Friday, Salvation Army at Delacombe, 10am-12pm 

Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, it may be necessary to temporarily close our libraries at short notice, or to modify our opening hours due to unavoidable staff shortages. 

We understand this can be frustrating and we thank you for your patience and understanding.

Our e-resources can be downloaded at any time. 

Patrons are encouraged to check the library website for service updates.

Fine Free Libraries
From 1 July 2023, City of Ballarat libraries will no longer charge library fines for overdue items, following a decision made by Ballarat City Council at the March ordinary meeting. 

This follows a growing trend across Victoria in which public libraries are opting to remove library fines relating to overdue items, due to the financial impact on borrowers. 

From July onwards, anybody who returns any overdue City of Ballarat library items, regardless of how long they are overdue, can return them without any further questions and without incurring any fees. Charges for lost and/or damaged library items will still apply. 

As an act of goodwill, community members are asked to consider donating non-perishable food throughout June to contribute to the Ballarat Foundation's Winter Appeal.

Home Library Service
A limited service will continue. Not taking new clients at this stage.

Storytime
Storytime is available at all library branches and outreach locations. See the library website for session times.

Technology Q&As
Sessions are available at all libraries and bookings are required. You can book Technology Q&As online, over the phone or in person at any library.

Public computers are available at Ballarat Library at Town Hall, Wendouree and Sebastopol Libraries.

Photocopying, scanning and printing is available at all libraries. Fees and charges apply.  

For more information contact the Ballarat Library on 5338 6850 or library@centralhighlandslibraries.org.au

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