Northern Beaches Council is celebrating statewide recognition after being highly commended at the 2026 Local Government NSW Excellence Awards for its innovative Manly Library 24/7 initiative.
The pioneering service gives library members extended access to Manly Library outside of traditional staffed hours, providing greater flexibility for the community to read, study, work and connect at a time that suits them.
Mayor Sue Heins said the recognition highlights Council’s commitment to delivering modern, accessible and inclusive services.
“Manly Library 24/7 is a fantastic example of how we are evolving our library services to meet the changing needs of our community,” Mayor Heins said.
“The recognition reinforces the importance of libraries as community hubs, where people can learn new skills, connect with others and access digital resources.
“We’re exploring further opportunities for unstaffed access at other Northern Beaches Library branches, so we can continue to adapt to meet customer expectations,” she said.
Manly Library is the second library on the Northern Beaches to offer round-the-clock unstaffed entry for eligible members, after the enormously successful launch in 2022 of Forestville Library 24/7.
In addition to extended access at Manly, Council offers a wide range of free programs, workshops and activities across its library network including:
- Storytime and children’s programs
- Author talks and literary events
- Technology help sessions
- Workshops, classes and community events.
For more information on upcoming events and services, visit the website.