Blue Mountains Library

Blue Mountains Library
Katoomba Library
Location	City of Blue Mountains, Australia
Type	Public library
Established	1974
Branches	6
Collection
Size	128,679
Access and use
Circulation	542,822
Population served	78,891
Members	28,755
Other information
Employees	34
Website	library.bmcc.nsw.gov.au
References: Mantakoun, Samantha (1 February 2026). "Public library statistics 2024-25". State Library of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 June 2026.

The Blue Mountains Library is a network of six branch libraries located within the City of Blue Mountains Council administrative area in New South Wales, Australia.

Services and Programs

Blue Mountains Library Services have held Dungeons and Dragons sessions, science fairs, Blue Mountains Writers Festival events, and poetry slams. Multiple branches of the library have "comfort cats" - robotic cats with soft fur and a simulated heartbeat.

In 2003, a train-based delivery service for commuters called the Book Express began. The Book Express was made of a joint partnership between the Blue Mountains City Council and CityRail, who at the time managed the Sydney rail network.

Like all other libraries in NSW, the Blue Mountains Library Service offers a home library service.

History

Discussions of adopting the Library Act 1939 were around in the Blue Mountains as early as 1949, and discussions of starting a free public library in 1951. Prior to the Blue Mountains Library, the southern population of the Blue Mountains was served by Penrith City Council library service.

The Library Act 1939 itself was adopted until 1967. When the motion was passed to adopt the act by a two-to-one majority at a council meeting, there was loud applause from the gallery. In 1968, a public meeting proposed starting a library at the Blue Mountains - 113 of 120 people voted in favour.

The Blue Mountains Library Service then formally began in 1974.

In 2022, Blackheath was closed for several months after heavy rain caused damage to the roof.

Branches

Blue Mountains Library Service has six branches: Blackheath Library, Blaxland Library, Katoomba Library, Lawson Library, Springwood Library, and Wentworth Falls Library.

References