Hay Shire Council > Community Services

Hay Shire Library

The Hay Library and Kay Hull Community Centre is situated at 204 Lachlan Street and was built on the site of the Hay Band Hall, RSL and CWA Rooms, and is the fourth Public Library building in Hay’s history.

The Library complex was opened by Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley on 6th March 2009, with the Kay Hull Community Centre named in honor of the former Federal MP, Kay Hull AM for her assistance to the Hay community during her time as its local member. The complex comprises a Public Library, large meeting room with full kitchen, public toilets, offices for CWA and RSL, plus the offices of Hay Multi Service Outlet (Home and Community Care), and Centrelink agent.

About the Western Riverina Libraries (WRL) https://www.wrl.nsw.gov.au/

Western Riverina Libraries (WRL) is a collaboration between five local governments to share resources and technical services to provide a library service which is current, efficient and valued.

Located in the south-west of New South Wales this regional library service provides five branch libraries and two mobile libraries serving a combined population of 41,603 in an area of 42,895 square kilometers. The region is predominantly agricultural and is approximately 600 kilometers from Sydney.

The members of Western Riverina Libraries are Carrathool Shire, Griffith City, Hay Shire, Murrumbidgee Shire and Narrandera Shire. Western Riverina Libraries is administered by Griffith City Council.

Joining the Hay Library

To become a member of the Hay Library an application form is required to be filled in and you will need to provide a proof of your current home address in Hay. The form MUST be signed by a parent or guardian if you are under 16 years of age. Forms are provided at the library.

If you are staying in the area for a short time you can become a temporary member at the library. A temporary membership fee allows you full access to the library’s services.

Ask the staff at the Library for more information.

Library Services

The Hay Library has an extensive family history and research section, which includes historical electoral roles, births, deaths and marriages, and archival records of local newspapers.

In addition to the available print books, large print books, magazines, hear-a-books, DVD’s, CD’s, and e-resources such as BorrowBox are also available at the Hay Library, the library can source a greater collection from the other Western Riverina Libraries if needed.

The Hay Library also offers a free Home Library Service if you are unable to visit the Library due to age, sickness or disability, library staff can deliver a selection of resources directly to your door on a fortnightly or monthly basis.

The Childerns Story Time Pod allows childern ages 2 to 5 to experiance story time in a new audio visual format.

CDs and DVDs have a one week (7 day) loan period, and all other items have a three week (21 day) loan. If you require an extended loan on any items please ask staff for assistance.

Public access computers with internet access, Microsoft Office suite, printing and scanning facilities are available at the library. Computer use is free of charge, however printing charges may apply, please enquire at the front desk for more information.

The Library also has an extensive junior fiction and reading area, as well as study room extension that can be used for individual or group study, and research projects. Public access computers are available in the study room, please check with Library staff is a group booking is required.

Wi-Fi is also available at the library.

Photocopying and scanning facilities are provided as well.

Activities held at the library

Children's Reading and Baby Bounce Rhyme Time is held every Tuesday at 10.30am in the Children's area in the Library.

This involves Songs, Rhymes, Dancing, Stories and Craft, and is a great opportunity for parents and children to mix and make new friends.

Knitting and Scrabble activies are held are every Wednesday at 10.00am throughout the year. The knitters knit squares to make blankets for the needy and also soft toys and clothes or you can just come along for the company, all levels of experience are welcome.