Blue Mountains Library
| Blue Mountains Library | |
|---|---|
 Katoomba Library | |
 | |
| Location | City of Blue Mountains, Australia |
| Type | Public library |
| Established | 1974 |
| Branches | 6 |
| Collection | |
| Size | 128,679 |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 542,822 |
Population served | 78,891 |
| Members | 28,755 |
| Other information | |
| Employees | 34 |
| Website | library |
| References: Mantakoun, Samantha (1 February 2026). "Public library statistics 2024-25". State Library of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 June 2026. | |
The Blue Mountains Library is a network of six branch libraries located within the City of Blue Mountains Council administrative area in New South Wales, Australia.
Services and Programs
[edit]Blue Mountains Library Services have held Dungeons and Dragons sessions,[1] science fairs,[2] Blue Mountains Writers Festival events,[3] and poetry slams.[4] Multiple branches of the library have "comfort cats" - robotic cats with soft fur and a simulated heartbeat.[5]
In 2003, a train-based delivery service for commuters called the Book Express began. The Book Express was made of a joint partnership between the Blue Mountains City Council and CityRail, who at the time managed the Sydney rail network.[6]
Like all other libraries in NSW, the Blue Mountains Library Service offers a home library service.[7]
History
[edit]Discussions of adopting the Library Act 1939 were around in the Blue Mountains as early as 1949,[8] and discussions of starting a free public library in 1951.[9] Prior to the Blue Mountains Library, the southern population of the Blue Mountains was served by Penrith City Council library service.[10]
The Library Act 1939 itself was adopted until 1967.[11] When the motion was passed to adopt the act by a two-to-one majority at a council meeting, there was loud applause from the gallery.[10] In 1968, a public meeting proposed starting a library at the Blue Mountains - 113 of 120 people voted in favour.[12]
The Blue Mountains Library Service then formally began in 1974.[11]
In 2022, Blackheath was closed for several months after heavy rain caused damage to the roof.[13]
Branches
[edit]Blue Mountains Library Service has six branches: Blackheath Library, Blaxland Library, Katoomba Library, Lawson Library, Springwood Library, and Wentworth Falls Library.[14]
References
[edit]- ↑ "D&D sessions a success". Blue Mountains Gazette. 19 April 2025.
- ↑ Madigan, Damien (8 August 2024). "Delve into science and nature at the Library Science Fair". Blue Mountains Review.
- ↑ "Don't miss the Writers' Festival". Blue Mountains Gazette. 20 September 2023. p. 18.
- ↑ "Poetry slam at Katoomba". Blue Mountains Gazette. 23 August 2023. p. 34.
- ↑ "Coming to a library near you: Robot cats!". Blue Mountains Gazette. 21 May 2025.
- ↑ "Commuting with books". Blue Mountains Gazette. 6 April 2003.
- ↑ "Blue Mountains Library Home Library Service". My Health Connector. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- ↑ "Library Act". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. 21 October 1949. p. 11.
- ↑ "Memorial Community Centre For Blackheath". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. 22 November 1951. p. 2.
- 1 2 "First step towards library on mountain". Blue Mountains Advertiser. 9 November 1967.
- 1 2 "Adoption of the Library Act". State Library of NSW. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- ↑ "Meeting favoured library scheme". Blue Mountains Advertiser. 7 November 1968.
- ↑ Curtin, Jennie (9 August 2022). "Libraries set to reopen soon". Blue Mountains Review.
- ↑ "Blue Mountains Library". library.bmcc.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 30 June 2026.