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Current status

At the Council meeting on Monday 24 February 2025, a report was presented to councillors which included alternative options for the redevelopment of Kew Library.

At the council meeting, the decision was made to:

  • keep the existing library building
  • cease the contract with our architects (who were working on designs based on demolishing the current library and rebuilding a new one)
  • look at delivering important maintenance work in stages
  • develop a master plan to guide longer-term improvements to Kew Library and surrounds.

All maintenance work and the development of the master plan are subject to Council’s budget process.

To stay up-to-date on next steps, click the Follow button at the top of this page.

About the redevelopment

We're writing a new chapter for Kew Library.

The way people engage with their local library has changed since the branch opened in 1987. We now have the opportunity to design a library that meets the needs of our community now and into the future.

The Kew Library redevelopment delivers on our:

Vision and Design Brief

Your feedback helped inform the vision and design for a modern purpose-built library that delivers on what's important to you. You can download the full Vision and Design Brief from the Document library on this page.

Community consultation

In August and September 2023, we asked our community for feedback on the draft Vision and Design Brief for the new Kew Library.

Who we heard from

We heard from 271 people through our online survey and in our drop-in sessions.

  • 47% of people who responded to the survey lived in Kew and 12% lived in Kew East.

  • 69% of people who responded to the survey were members of Kew Library.

  • We heard from 66% women, 26% men, 1% self-described and 7% preferred not to answer.

  • The age groups most represented were 35–49 years and 50-59 years.

Percentage of participants who agreed or strongly agreed with the key themes

  • 97%

    Quiet and peaceful spaces

  • 95%

    Welcoming and accessible

  • 94%

    Good lighting and circulation

  • 90%

    Sustainable

  • 88%

    Active and social spaces

  • 80%

    Outdoors inside and indoors outside

  • 80%

    Interesting, contemporary and sympathetic design

  • 58%

    Flexible spaces for a range of events

What we heard

In 2017, we consulted with the community to understand the views and aspirations for a new Kew Library.

We checked in as part of this consultation to make sure the key themes were still relevant. Most participants agreed or strongly agreed they were still important.

Preferred features and spaces

We asked our community to tell us what features and spaces they consider most important. We provided a list of 10 features and asked participants to rank their top 5 preferences.

  • 79% want study and remote workspaces
  • 66% want program and activity spaces
  • 60% want places to learn, try something new and create
  • 49% want multi-purpose spaces for large groups or individual study or work
  • 46% want a café
  • 44% want meeting rooms
  • 41% want programs in Alexandra Gardens
  • 41% want art and exhibition spaces
  • 37% want consulting rooms for community groups
  • 24% want kitchen facilities
  • 5% want something other than what was listed.

What else is important?

Our community also told us they want:

  • a range of flexible spaces accommodating different community needs
  • outstanding architecture and design
  • an accessible and inclusive library
  • spaces for children and young people
  • view and/or access to the gardens and surrounds
  • book collections
  • quiet and peaceful spaces
  • art and culture representation
  • a library that is environmentally sustainable
  • technology for now and the future
  • cost concerns considered.

You can download the full Community Engagement Summary below.