Who we are
With almost two million visitors each year Libraries ACT provides library and information service to residents and visitors across Canberra.
Throughout our physical and virtual network comprising of nine Public Library Branches, the ACT Heritage Library, the Home Library Service, and this website, we provide access to free lifelong learning.
We hold over 2.5 million physical items - books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, provide access to almost 400,000 electronic resources and run a range of community programs and events.
Our purpose
Libraries ACT delivers contemporary, relevant information, learning and leisure services meeting community needs.
Our Service Commitment
Libraries ACT strives for excellence by providing the highest standard of service to our community.
What you can expect from us:
- Efficient service delivered by courteous, confident and committed staff
- Easy access to resources and services that are inclusive and respect our community’s diversity
- Resources and services that respond to individual and community needs
- Library spaces that are inviting, accessible, safe, comfortable and well designed
- A timely response to service requests
- Provision of current information about the latest programs, services and events
What we expect from you:
- To be courteous and respectful towards our staff
- To respect others who access our services, including their privacy
- To be patient during busy times
- To understand our staff have processes and obligations they must follow
- To help us recognise our staff by telling us when you received excellent customer service
Our service commitment to you is in the Customer Service Charter (PDF 46.0 KB)
Our history
Public library services in Canberra began through an extension division of the National Library of Australia, with a lending collection of fiction offered in 1948. Small, temporary libraries targeted at children opened in the early 1950s, and by the end of that decade a mobile library began operating across the region.
The name Canberra Public Library Service was adopted in 1960, and in 1961 a public library opened in Civic. The first permanent district library, which opened in 1969, was Dickson and additional libraries followed over the years.
In 1981, responsibility for the Canberra Public Library Service transferred to the Department of Capital Territory. Following self-government for the ACT in 1989, responsibility was again transferred, this time to the ACT Government.
Today, Libraries ACT forms part of the City and Environment Directorate and continues to respond to the evolving needs of the community, informed by the community. In 2021, Libraries ACT undertook community consultation to inform a future library strategy which will be publicly released in the last quarter of 2025.