New pop-up library coming to Ballarat Town Hall

Ballarat Town Hall is set to be transformed into a pop-up library while redevelopment works are conducted at the Central Ballarat Library on Doveton Street. 

To be known as Ballarat Library at Town Hall, the city’s newest library is expected to open mid-November. 

The temporary shift is necessary due to the $7,484,031 Ballarat Central Library redevelopment and upgrade, with the tender awarded at the October Ordinary Council Meeting. 

This includes the additional $489,031 being allocated to the project from the inflationary provision established at the September 2022 Council Meeting.   

It is expected the Ballarat Library at Town Hall will be in use for about 12 months while the project is complete. 

The Sebastopol Library and Wendouree Library remain open as usual, and their opening hours and locations can be found on the City of Ballarat website. 

Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney, acknowledged the move could cause minor disruption but said it was part of a vital project for the future of City of Ballarat. 

“The entire library refurbishment project is exciting for the entire city and I can’t wait to see the final result,” he said. 

“We’re looking forward to opening the doors to Town Hall to the public and seeing it used like never before.  

“We do still have our other services operating at full capacity, so we encourage people to explore what else we have on offer. 

“We thank the community for their understanding and patience.” 

The core services currently available at the central library that will still be available at the Town Hall include: 

• Library collection to browse, although with a limited catalogue 

• Collect holds 

• WiFi/public computers/printing/scanning 

• Technology learning programs and assistance 

• Children’s programs 

After hours returns will be unavailable at the Town Hall, although they remain available at Wendouree and Sebastopol. 

The Library Outreach services will also remain available in Lucas, Buninyong and Delacombe. 

The redevelopment of the Ballarat 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. 

The Ballarat Library is expected to be closed to the public from mid-November to allow relocation of the library materials, in readiness for construction to begin. 

The Ballarat Library redevelopment aligns with several of the City of Ballarat goals, as outlined in the Council Plan 2012-25:  

• A healthy, connected, and inclusive community.  

• A city that conserves and enhances our natural and built assets.  

For more information visit the City of Ballarat website or refer to our FAQ page.