Woden Library opened in 1977. It's the busiest of the nine public library branches in the ACT.

When the ACT Heritage Library moved location in 2019, space was made available on the top floor of the Woden Library to provide an upgraded community area.

The community was invited to share their ideas for the space to inform the architectural brief for the upgrade from 11 October to 15 November 2019.

Feedback and ideas from the community have informed the designs for the upgrade of the Woden Library.

Construction to upgrade the Woden Library was completed in December 2021. Feedback from the community informed the upgrades, including a range of multi-purpose community spaces.

Canberrans had their say on the new community space at the Woden Library by:

• sharing their ideas online
• dropping into the Woden Library branch and contributing to an 'ideas wall'
• taking part in a workshop.

View a summary of feedback and ideas from the co-design process.

An external awning will be installed over the book return chute adjacent the main entry of the library.

The existing ground floor café seating, community space and back of house areas of the library will be transformed into two new community spaces with after-hours public access, a community kitchen including improved circulation and upgraded toilet facilities.

The existing upper floor will be upgraded and repurposed to create a number of new distinct areas, ‘The Hive’, ‘The Life Lab’, and ‘The Haven/Gathering’ and will include toilet upgrades and improvements to accessibility and circulation.

The work is expected to be complete for the community to enjoy in the new year.

Your feedback and ideas informed the designs for the Woden Library upgrade which are available in the document library on the right hand side.