Our story

Prior to an official library service existing in Maitland, literary services were provided by the West Maitland, East Maitland and Morpeth Schools of Arts. In 1945 Maitland Council adopted the NSW Library Act 1939 to officially begin a library service. It was the thirtieth council in the state to do so and the thirty fifth council in NSW to begin a library service.

Maitland's first library was housed at the Australian Joint Stock Bank on High Street, Maitland, with further branches opening in East Maitland (1949), Morpeth (1954) and Rutherford (1960). The Maitland City Library branch as you see it today was built and opened in 1968.

Consistent innovation has been a feature of library services in Maitland, with early adoption of  public access Internet, WiFi services and self check stations for improved customer service.

Today, more than 70 years on, we continue to select the best books, magazines, digital resources, music and films and make them available to you free of charge from our library branches and online. Our programs and events draw ever increasing audiences. We're here to connect you with the services you need, whether its home delivery of books when you are sick or storytelling at your preschool. 

We like to think of our libraries as an extension of your living room, so if you would like to ask us anything about our services, please get in touch.