Chatswood Library’s evolution

A new look Chatswood Library keeps in step with the changing needs of the community.

Willoughby City Council’s flagship library at Chatswood, New South Wales (NSW), has recently undergone some exciting upgrades to respond to the changing needs of the community.

Chatswood Library is one of Council’s most popular services with 754, 126 visitors and 944,789 loans last year.

Willoughby City Council libraries have the third highest circulation per capita out of 101 NSW libraries.

The library now boasts a new creator space for group and collaborative work for community and corporate events of up to 85 people.

The space has already been put to good use by the new Manga drawing classes, Korean craft, coding classes and knitting groups.

There is also a new quiet reading area and a dedicated local studies space to improve access to information and resources about Willoughby.

The library’s computers have been relocated to allow for better staff support and the library entrance has been freshened up with a redesigned service desk and better seating.

Willoughby Libraries have also embraced the modern appetite for on-demand video by introducing a new online streaming service, Kanopy.

Members can now access over 30,000 independent films, documentaries, classics, new releases and Weston Woods content for children.

This joins the already extensive digital service allowing people to access eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers
online.

The changes come as Willoughby City Council works towards achieving its goal outlined by the community in its strategic plan Our Future Willoughby 2028 to be a city that is connected and inclusive.