Ballina Library will undergo major renovations starting September 1, with an expected completion in early November 2025.
Mayor of Ballina Shire, Cr Sharon Cadwallader, says the project is about giving the much-loved library a freshen-up so it continues to serve the community well into the future.
‘We’re renewing the flooring, painting, upgrading the service counter, and installing modern, movable shelving to make the space more flexible and welcoming’.
A temporary library at BISC
To maintain services to the community during this time, a temporary library will be set up in the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre (BISC) from September 8. Opening hours will be 9am-2:30pm on weekdays. Patrons can pick up reserved items, access a limited collection (comprising adult and junior fiction and non-fiction, youth fiction, picture and board books, and a small number of audiobooks and DVDs) or return loans.
On weekends, from September 6, the Mobile Library will offer similar services parked opposite the Ballina War Memorial Swimming Pool on Saturdays from 1-4pm, and Sundays from 9.30am-4pm throughout the refurbishment works.
Read, Make, Play community programs will be held every Wednesday at the Richmond Room, located behind the Library (access via 5 Regatta Avenue). All other programming will be on pause throughout the refurbishment works.
The after-hours return chute at Ballina Library will not be available during this time. Patrons can access after-hours return chutes, along with other library services, at both the Lennox Head and Alstonville Libraries.
Cr Cadwallader said the refurbishment is being delivered in partnership with Richmond Tweed Regional Library. ‘It is funded through the Public Library Infrastructure Grant from the State Library of NSW, along with Ballina Shire Council’s 2025/26 Capital Works Program.
‘We thank our community for their understanding while the work takes place.’
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