Fremantle Library continues to thrive

Since the big move to the Award winning Walyalup Civic Centre building in November 2021, the Fremantle Library has not only seen great growth as a library but become an invaluable community facility and hub.

Between October 2022–March 2023 the Fremantle Library received a total of 114,651 visitors, a 12% increase since the last 6-month period.

With hundreds of books, reading nooks, outdoor areas, free Wi-Fi, bookable spaces, a youth gaming zone, a dedicated children’s zone (complete with a slide!) and more—Fremantle Library provides services for everyone.

The Library’s membership has continued to grow with an impressive 1,361 new members joining the now 11,758 people actively using the library.

The annual ‘The Voice of our Customers’ survey found that giant leaps had been made in provision of services. The library is now rated at 97% for good or excellent service, up from 80% compared to last year’s results.

Causes of customer concern from the previous survey have been effectively resolved including the redesign of shelving layout, implementation of security services and noise issues lowered.

Including several established ongoing programs such as the Emerging Writers Cooperative, Meerilinga Parenting Circle, Podcasting with the Studio School and two collaborations with GRAI, 234 program sessions were run in the last 6 months.

The total attendance across all the program sessions was 8,936 people.

Fremantle’s Library’s relationship with the literature sector in Fremantle has continued to grow, hosting the Perth International Arts Festival panel discussion The Business of Being a Writer, other highlights include co-hosting Fremantle’s One Day, an inclusive community day celebrating First Nations culture and community.

The Library's award-winning support program Library Connect is a partnership between City of Fremantle and St Patrick's Support Centre. The two have worked together since 2020, and between Oct 2022–March 2023 they supported 749 vulnerable people facing homelessness and other disadvantages in the community.

This was the first time two thirds of this client group had engaged with community support services, demonstrating the importance of a service like Library Connect.

Our history centre boasts a large collection of biographical files, newspapers, publications, maps and plans. In the last six months our history centre answered 734 enquires related to family history, property and historical research.

The History centre also commenced its Local History Expert Volunteer program early this year, where original cataloguing, photograph scanning, and quality assurance is undertaken every Thursday from 10am–4pm.

The Toy Library offers over 1900 toys, games, ride-ons, party hire kits and more. It gained 78 new members this period and had a total of 7,018 loans across the library.

Customers highly rated the Toy Library as it allowed them to live more sustainably as they were to borrow a wide range of toys and return them without having to purchase any themselves.

Equipped with the latest gaming consoles including an Xbox Series S, a PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch for free play, it's easy to see why library members spend a cumulative 737hrs in our dedicated youth zone.

The award-winning program Library Craft continued to grow with over 454 registered players and 6,787hrs of gameplay during this period.

Shelves lined, a variety of programs always running, children and youth play zones, a dedicated history centre and a place for all people to find comfort and feel safe.

Come visit Fremantle Library, there’s something here for everyone!

Memberships are free to all WA residents.