Wingecarribee Libraries Plan

Help Shape Our New Library Plan

Our libraries play a vital and valued role in shaping the cultural and social character of the Wingecarribee Shire.

We're developing a new Library Plan to ensure libraries continue to support our community as hubs for creativity, knowledge and connectivity and we need your help to help shape it.

We know that libraries in Wingecarribee are well loved and well used.

The development of this plan will allow our libraries to respond to current and future community needs for spaces and services, programming, collections, resources and emerging technology. It will help to better inform and direct service development and delivery for the next five years.

Below are some key facts and figures that our libraries experienced during the 2024/25 period:

Loans

Our libraries loaned a total of 315,193 items
Events

We hosted 763 library events and 8,824 people attended
Visits

A total of 138,509 people visited our libraries

Access & Belonging

Ensuring our libraries are welcoming and accessible to all members of the community, whilst fostering a sense of belonging
Spaces & Places

Creating welcoming, inclusive, and modern physical spaces that meet the evolving needs of our community
Programs & Services

Delivering relevant programs and services that serve our community’s needs both now and in the next five years
Learning & Creativity

Supporting lifelong learning and fostering creativity for people of all ages and abilities
Digital & Discovery

Positioning the library as a key destination for digital exploration, discovery, and access to technology

Share Your Thoughts

Participate in our online engagement activities below

Beyond books and borrowing, what types of programs, activities, or events would you like to see our libraries offer to better connect with our community?

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17 November, 2025

Mary says:

Trivia activities once a month for primary school kids, in the library. Movie afternoons, for adults and families. Craft and cookies.

17 November, 2025

SherryAnne says:

Expanding the items that can be borrowed to meet more community needs, like toys, maker kits, video games, board games, tools, etc.

17 November, 2025

Carolyn says:

After hours return at Mittagong. Liaise to set up book clubs, some people don't know other book readers. Couple of comfy chairs at Mitt.

17 November, 2025

S says:

Expanding the items that can be borrowed to meet more community needs, like toys, maker kits, video games, board games, tools, etc.

14 November, 2025

G says:

Author talks, writing workshops, craft/music/drawing lessons, movie viewing, book fairs, IT updates, that are subsidised/lower cost/free.

13 November, 2025

Barbara says:

Book shute in Mittagong. I am aware the building is heritage listed; could it possibly be installed next door at the Seniors Centre?

13 November, 2025

Barbara says:

More electronic resources e.g. eBooks etc

13 November, 2025

Barbara says:

Library app in addition to the website for reservations, renewals, linked accounts example Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai, etc.

13 November, 2025

Barbara says:

Longer loan periods e.g. 3-4 weeks x 2-3 renewals

13 November, 2025

Josh says:

Would like to see the libraries have longer opening hours and not closed as often as they currently are

8 November, 2025

Rajesh says:

Audio-Visual talks by Aboriginal Art Experts explaining how to understand, interpret and appreciate Traditional Aboriginal Artwork

7 November, 2025

Elizabeth says:

Libby app! Evening and weekend events/author talks /workshops for those of us who work. Holiday activities for teens.

Online Survey

Your feedback is a way for you to share your thoughts and ideas on a particular issue or project. The goal is to make sure your voice and the community’s voices are heard and considered. It helps provide valuable insights, identify potential issues and suggest improvements. This way, decisions can be more inclusive, transparent and effective, reflecting what you and the community really needs and wants.

Responses to engagement projects are compiled and considered. When projects are reported to Council to make a decision a summary of community feedback will be included. Updates on projects will be included in these pages and elsewhere on Council's website.

Sometimes it takes some months to provide feedback to the community and to make a decision as further investigation is often needed. We are listening and we do take your suggestions on board!

Did You Know...

Our library branches and outreach programs serve a population of 53,552 people and have 28,659 active members

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - active

In-Person and Online Community Consultation

Opportunities for online and in-person consultation will take place from Monday 22 September - Monday 24 November 2025.
Timeline item 2 - incomplete

Result Analysis & Drafting of the Plan

Council staff will prepare the draft plan based on the results and analysis of community consultation undertaken. We anticipate this to happen during November 2025 - February 2026.
Timeline item 3 - incomplete

Report to Council

We anticipate the draft plan will be presented at the March 2026 Ordinary Meeting of Council for public exhibition.
Timeline item 4 - incomplete

Public Exhibition Period

Once the draft plan is complete, it will be presented to Council for public exhibition, during which time the community will be invited to provide submissions before the it is formally adopted. We anticipate the public exhibition period to be held during April - May 2026.
Timeline item 5 - incomplete

Adoption of the Plan

We anticipate Council will endorse the draft plan for adoption at the June 2026 Ordinary Meeting of Council.

FAQs

The aim of this plan is to set the vision, priorities, and actions to ensure our libraries continue to meet the changing needs of the community for years to come.

Your input will help us develop a modern, inclusive, and forward-thinking plan that guides the future of our library services.

We are using community consultation as the main source of information to help us develop this plan.

Our goal is to hear from as many people as possible to understand what you value most about our libraries and how you want to see them grow.

We are also guided by current research into best-practice library services and the role of libraries in local communities for the next 5 years.

Wingecarribee public libraries currently have 13 full-time equivalent staff members, well below the minimum recommendation of 17.59. This limits the ability to deliver the full range of services and programs expected of a contemporary library service.

Expenditure on library materials per capita is $3.83, compared to the state median of $5.27. Acquisitions per capita are extremely low at 0.09 compared to the cohort median of 0.18. The library collection is older than recommended, with 41% purchased in the past five years and 71% purchased in the past 10 years.

The total floor area across the three buildings is 1,384 square metres, below the minimum of 2,300 square metres recommended to serve the current population. The State Library of NSW have noted that the small size of our library buildings makes it difficult to achieve high visitation and to provide suitably sized programs and events.

There is a need to expand the range and frequency of programs to meet growing community demand. Contemporary, flexible library spaces are needed to support diverse uses, from quiet study to creative and community activities.

Developing a library plan and seeking input from the community will help set a clear direction for the next five years, ensuring our libraries can respond to local needs and aspirations while planning for contemporary services, programs, and spaces.

The following themes will guide our efforts to gather a wide range of voices and create an inclusive vision for the future:

Access & Belonging

Ensuring our libraries are welcoming and accessible to all members of our community, and understanding how to foster a sense of belonging.

Spaces & Places

Creating welcoming, inclusive, and modern physical spaces that meet the evolving needs of our community.

Programs & Services

Delivering relevant programs and services that serve our community’s needs both now and in the next five years.

Learning & Creativity

Supporting lifelong learning and fostering creativity for people of all ages and abilities.

Digital & Discovery

Positioning the library as a key destination for digital exploration, discovery, and access to technology.

Your contribution is crucial because it helps us understand what the community truly needs and wants from its library services.

Your input will directly influence the types of programs, resources, and events we offer and will ensure the final plan is a direct reflection of community aspirations.

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more? You can contact us below:

Contact Information
Name	Council's Library Services
Phone	02 4868 0888
Email	mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
Website	www.wsc.nsw.gov.au
In writing	PO Box 141, Moss Vale NSW 2577

Contact Information
Name	Wingecarribee Shire Council
Phone	02 4868 0888
Email	mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
Website	www.wsc.nsw.gov.au

Name

Wingecarribee Shire Council

Phone

02 4868 0888

mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au

Website

Wingecarribee Libraries Plan

Help Shape Our New Library Plan

Loans

Events

Visits

Access & Belonging

Spaces & Places

Programs & Services

Learning & Creativity

Digital & Discovery

Share Your Thoughts

Beyond books and borrowing, what types of programs, activities, or events would you like to see our libraries offer to better connect with our community?

Online Survey

Privacy Information

Contact Us