Libraries ACT will have changed opening hours in summer 2024 -25 at its 10 public library branches including the ACT Heritage Library.
Christmas shutdown
All library branches including return chutes will be closed from 3pm, Tuesday 24 December to Sunday 5 January 2025 (inclusive).
The home library service will not operate from Monday 23 December 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025 (inclusive).
The Libraries ACT customer information centre will not operate from Tuesday 24 December 2024 to Thursday 2 January 2025 (inclusive).
Any item due to be returned during the Christmas shutdown period, will automatically have its due date extended to Monday 13 January 2025.
Summer opening hours
From Monday 6 January to Sunday 9 February 2025, Libraries ACT branches will operate according to the below timetable.
Dickson, Gungahlin, and Woden
- 10:00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday
- 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday
Civic and Erindale
- 10:00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday
Belconnen, Kingston, Kippax and Tuggeranong
- 10:00am to 5:30pm Tuesday to Friday
- 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday
ACT Heritage Library
- 9.30am to 5:00pm Tuesday to Friday
- 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday
On Monday 10 February 2025, opening hours will return to normal.
The changed opening hours will be trialled to:
- increase staffing capacity at branches throughout summer
- provide Libraries ACT staff with time to undertake important administrative and planning tasks when the libraries are closed
- increase leave opportunities for Libraries ACT staff who deserve a well-earned break over summer
- increase service reliability by helping keep unplanned branch closures to a minimum.
Our data shows that there is a general decline in loans, returns and visitors to libraries throughout December and January, and closure days have been chosen in accordance with low demand days.
Further to this, the branches chosen to close have been selected based on their individual visitation levels, and also with consideration to providing access to services across Canberra.
Impacted stakeholders including community members and organisations who have booked rooms and programs on these days will be contacted and offered alternative arrangements where possible.
Return chutes will remain operational when a library branch is not open, excluding the Christmas shutdown period (details above).
The changes include reduced opening hours on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays and no late-night trading hours.
Digital resources
You don't need to visit a library branch to access a good book, and during this period we encourage you to access the digital resources available with your Libraries ACT membership.
There is something for everyone, such as access to Borrow Box where you can download up to 10 eBooks and 10 Audio books for two weeks at a time.
