Library Facilities

All City of Ryde libraries provide free wireless internet access for customers. It can be connected to via any smart device that allows for wireless connection. Users are permitted a maximum of 5GB data per day.

Make sure your Wi-Fi connection is on by viewing available network connections and selecting the correct network. The name will depend on which library you are using it from - for example, if you are at Ryde Library then the name of the network will be “Top Ryde Library”.

After you connect a browser window should appear with our terms and conditions of use, which you will need to read and accept. If the window does not automatically pop up, you can trigger it by opening a new browser and typing in any web address.

Public access computers are available to use for free at all City of Ryde Libraries for those with a valid Ryde Library Service membership. Computer use for library members is limited to 2 hours per person per day and can be booked up to one week in advance. One additional hour may be granted subject to availability and cannot be booked in advance.

Temporary guest tickets are available for visitors aged 16 years or over who must provide suitable identification and contact details. A guest ticket provides a maximum of one hour computer use and expires at the end of the day.

All public computers run on Windows 10 and come installed with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint. Multiple USB and headphone ports are available for you to connect external devices. Access to the public computers and network is at the user’s own risk.

Access to certain restricted sites has been removed, including all adult-oriented sites, gaming websites, newsgroups, chat rooms, and other sites deemed offensive by the Australian Film and Classification Board. If you are aware of any such sites that may have gotten past the filters set in place, please inform a library staff member. We thank your vigilance in alerting us of these instances.

Please see our policies, fees and charges for the City of Ryde Libraries Public Computers & Wi-Fi Conditions of Use.

City of Ryde Libraries offers docking monitors at each library branch, allowing you to duplicate or extend your laptop screen. Use the provided USB-C or HDMI cable to connect your laptop with the docking station.

Availability of monitors is limited at each branch. No bookings are required but please consider others who may also need to use the monitors during high demand periods.

Photocopying and printing services are available at all City of Ryde Libraries for those with a valid Ryde Library Service membership. Non-library members are also allowed access within specific guidelines at the discretion of library staff. Follow these step-by-step instructions based on your printing needs.

There are different costs to photocopying and printing. For a complete list, please see our Library Fees and Charges page.

Credit can be added to your Library card through specific auto-loader machines which accept payment in coins, notes or credit card. These machines do not give change, though extra credit will stay on your card. For guest cards, any extra credit is forfeited after your session and will not be refunded.

Remote access printing is also available. Access Web Print and log in with your library membership to upload your file. Once it has been uploaded, print jobs can then be released through the printer at any of our five City of Ryde Library branches.

Please note that only certain file formats are supported, and file size limits apply. 

Scanning services are available for free at all City of Ryde Libraries for those with a valid Ryde Library Service membership. Non-library members are also allowed access within specific guidelines at the discretion of library staff.

Specific computers also have scanners attached to them. Scans can be made in colour and then attached to an email or saved onto a USB drive. Instructions for use are available on the scanners themselves.

Due to high demand, we suggest you book a scanner computer. Alternatively, you can also scan using our photocopiers straight to email or USB drive.

The Hive offers the community free access to a large suite of creative software without the hefty cost of personal licensing.

Accessible on Windows PC, the service is offered from West Ryde Library and is free to all library members.

Design stunning graphics with Adobe Illustrator, edit photos with Adobe Photoshop, create your own website with Adobe Dreamweaver, or edit videos and create animation with a range of video design software – the possibilities are endless.

For more information, visit The Hive page.

Ryde Library has a grand piano at the front of its stage area that is available for public use during specific hours of the day. A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed per day for play by pianists with an equivalent skill level of piano grade 5 or higher.

Please refrain from using the grand piano as a practice tool for scales.

Available times:

• 12.00pm - 2.00pm
• 3.00pm - 4.00pm
• 6.00pm - 7.00pm

It is recommended that you see library staff before starting to ensure that there is no coinciding with library events.