Central Library Redevelopment

The redevelopment of the Ballarat Central Library includes an expansion to the second level of the building, a new entrance, purpose-built teaching areas, quiet areas, open space for socialisation, and specialised children’s and family areas.

The library is first and foremost for the community, it is a place that will inspire, surprise, and delight the community with a strong focus on fostering lifelong learning.

At the centre of the library, a large open space with a variety of seating will be constructed for people to collaborate, socialise and read. This zone connects the main library area and entrance to the children and family section, as well as an entry to the second level.

The redevelopment of the library will improve the services and facilities the community has grown to enjoy and provide further opportunities for learning and connection.  

The new entrance to the library will be easily accessible as it is central to the precinct, enabling connection to neighbouring services offered within Gov Hub and Civic Hall.

It is expected the refurbishment will create a 30 per cent library use increase, which could be up to 2000 visitors per day.

This project has an overall cost of $7,484,031.   

The City of Ballarat is contributing $6.98 million to the project, with the State Government contributing $500,000 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program. 

The City of Ballarat is working with Ballarat construction company H. Troon to undertake the refurbishment project. H. Troon was established in Ballarat in 1870 and are highly experienced builders and have carried out many major building projects across Victoria.

The Ballarat Central Library is the busiest in Western Victoria and in the 2018/2019 financial year, regularly experiencing visitor numbers of 1,200 to 1,400 per day.

The library contains a collection of approximately 75,000 items and also runs many activities and learning programs across the age spectrum. The library is the location for shared service provision for the Central Highlands Libraries, covering the LGAs of Ballarat, Hepburn, Ararat, Central Goldfields, Pyrenees, Moorabool and Southern Grampians. 

Space has been a constant issue with only 1,300 sqm of public space available. This refurbishment will expand into the first floor of the building, adding a further 700sqm.

The recent relocation of the Australiana collection to the Eureka centre also provides opportunities to increase children’s library space that will accommodate groups up to 150 people.