Forestville Library gives inducted members 24/7 access to a local study, reading and service space beyond regular closing times, while Chatswood Library moves towards a two-year trial of longer hours.
Forestville Library Gives Members More Time To Use The Branch
Library members who have completed an induction can access the Forestville branch 24 hours a day, seven days a week, extending the time available to use the library beyond its regular opening hours.
Located at 6 Darley Street within the Forest Community Arts Centre, the branch gives members access to facilities including six public computers, with use limited to 120 minutes per customer each day.
Printing, scanning and photocopying services are also available, along with free Northern Beaches Council Wi-Fi.
For people using the branch to read, study, work on documents or access online services, the 24/7 arrangement means those facilities remain available beyond normal closing times for inducted members.
The library is spread across one floor and has a large accessible entrance, with disability amenities directly outside in the community arts centre.
Its regular community services and programs include scheduled Justice of the Peace sessions, Baby Bounce, Rhyme Time and Story Time.
Chatswood Moves Towards Longer Access
The Forestville arrangement provides a local example of extended library access as Chatswood Library prepares for a two-year trial of longer opening hours.
Willoughby City Council has voted for the Chatswood branch to open from 7am until 10pm, seven days a week, increasing weekly access from 72 hours to 105.
The trial is expected to begin in early 2027 and remains subject to funding availability, with the council due to consider funding in November.
A full 24-hour operation has not been approved. Initial modelling estimated that round-the-clock opening at Chatswood would cost about $1.4 million a year.
Existing planning controls also prevent Chatswood Library from operating continuously. A new development application is being pursued to allow greater flexibility for possible future 24-hour opening, including during high-demand periods such as HSC examinations.
Chatswood Library recorded about 970,000 visits in 2025–26, placing it second among NSW libraries behind the State Library.
Northern Beaches Already Has Two 24/7 Libraries
Forestville and Manly are the two Northern Beaches libraries offering 24/7 access arrangements.
Eastwood Library also began a one-year round-the-clock trial through Ryde Council in February.
For Forestville members, the existing model means access to a local public library does not end when regular opening hours do, provided the required induction has been completed.
Published 5-September-2026
