At a glance
- Four libraries
- Casuarina (17 Bradshaw Terrace), Darwin City (Civic Centre, Harry Chan Avenue), Karama (Karama Shopping Centre) and Nightcliff (Pavonia Place)
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (Casuarina to 5.45pm), Saturday 9am to 12pm. Sunday 1pm to 4pm at Casuarina only. Closed on public holidays
- Membership
- Free. Full membership for NT residents with ID and proof of an NT address; Lite membership for visitors or people without that ID; Digital membership for online access only
- Computers and printing
- Computers and Wi-Fi are free. Black and white A4 printing is $0.20 a side, colour A4 is $1.00 a side; scanning is free
- Who it’s for
- Darwin residents, new arrivals and NT visitors who want to borrow, study, print or use a computer
- What to do now
- Any branch issues a full card on the spot against an NT driver’s licence, or photo ID plus proof of an NT address; visitors can join as Lite members with any ID showing their name
- Last checked
- Tuesday 10 November 2026, against the City of Darwin Libraries pages
- Not yet confirmed
- Christmas and New Year opening hours: the City links a separate page that we could not read from the main hours page. The City says new fees and charges, including meeting room fees, took effect on 1 July 2026, and the page’s table does not say whether its rates are the new ones. Some old notices are still on City pages (a September closure of the Darwin City Library and a May printing outage)
Joining a City of Darwin library is free, and a full card is issued on the spot if you bring an NT driver’s licence showing your current address. Visitors and people without that ID can join with a Lite membership and borrow three items at a time. This guide sets out the four libraries’ hours, the three membership types, loan limits, computers, printing and the meeting room, from the City’s own pages checked on 10 November 2026.
When are the libraries open?
The City’s Contact Libraries page lists four branches. None is open on public holidays, and the City says hours may differ over Easter, Christmas and New Year.
| Library | Address and phone | Mon to Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casuarina | 17 Bradshaw Terrace, Casuarina; 8930 0200 | 9am to 5.45pm | 9am to 12pm | 1pm to 4pm |
| Darwin City | Civic Centre, Harry Chan Avenue; 8930 0230 | 9am to 5pm | 9am to 12pm | Closed |
| Karama | Karama Shopping Centre; 8930 0250 | 9am to 5pm | 9am to 12pm | Closed |
| Nightcliff | Pavonia Place, Nightcliff; 8930 0480 | 9am to 5pm | 9am to 12pm | Closed |
The page lists the bus routes that serve each branch for convenience: Casuarina is served by 1, 1h, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21, 24, 25, OL1 and OL2; Darwin City by 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, OL1 and OL2; Karama by 5, 9, 12 and 25; Nightcliff by 4 and 11. The City warns that routes may change and points to CDC NT for current updates. Every library has a 24-hour, seven-day return chute near its entrance.
How do I join?
Membership is free, and the City’s membership page sets out three types.
| Type | Who can join | What you need | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | NT residents aged 16 and over; under 16 with a parent or guardian taking responsibility | An NT driver’s licence showing your current address, or photo ID plus a document showing your NT address (lease, bank statement, utility bill, Centrelink or Health Care card) | Unlimited borrowing and the digital library; the card is issued on the spot. Expires after 5 years |
| Digital | NT residents who cannot visit a branch | The online application form; the card is emailed within three business days | eBooks, audiobooks, movies and digital magazines; no physical items. Expires after 5 years |
| Lite | Visitors, or NT residents without photo ID or proof of address | Any ID showing your name, such as a bank card, Medicare card, employee ID or Health Care card | Up to 3 physical items at a time and online resources. Valid for 12 months |
You can upgrade a Digital or Lite membership to full by bringing photo ID and proof of NT address to any branch. If you forget your password, you can reset it online if you know your library card number. To cancel, return all items or pay what you owe, then tell the library.
What can I borrow, and for how long?
The City’s Using our collection page says a full member can borrow an unlimited number of physical items: books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, Edison robots, Makey Makey kits and STEAM Zone kits. The collection holds more than 100,000 items.
| Item | Loan period | Limit | Renewals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books, audiobooks, DVDs, Edison robots, Makey Makey kits | 4 weeks | Unlimited | 1 |
| Magazines and STEAM Zone kits | 2 weeks | Unlimited | 1 |
| Most Wanted bestsellers (Darwin City, Nightcliff and Casuarina) | 2 weeks | Unlimited | 0, and no holds |
| Libby eBooks and eAudiobooks | 3 weeks | 15 | 1 |
| BorrowBox eBooks and eAudiobooks | 2 weeks | 8 of each | 1 |
| Kanopy movies | 72 hours | 10 tickets a month | 0 |
Laptops, tablets, Bee Bots, Dash robots, Osmo kits, puzzles and games are for use inside the library only, as are the gaming consoles at Karama and the sewing machine, overlocker and dressmaker’s dummy at Casuarina. Items renew once, either online, at a self-serve kiosk or by phone, provided no one else has requested them and they are not overdue. The City auto-renews items on the due date unless someone has requested them, they have been renewed once, or they are Most Wanted items, eBooks or inter-library loans. To reserve an item, log in, choose “Reserve a Copy”, pick a pickup branch and wait for the email.
What is in the digital library?
The City’s Digital Library page says members need only a library card number and password. Libby offers thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks and more than 3,000 magazines in more than 15 languages, with unlimited magazine loans. BorrowBox has a selection of audiobooks, including Australian titles. PressReader gives unlimited access to more than 6,000 publications from over 100 countries, including the NT News, via the library institutional logon (search “Library and Archives NT”). Kanopy streams films, documentaries and TV series, with 10 tickets a month and each film using one or two.
Can I use a computer, and what does printing cost?
Computers are free. The Computers and Wi-Fi page sets different limits for members and guests.
| Members | Guests | |
|---|---|---|
| Session | Self-book a 1-hour session online or log in at a free computer | Ask at the customer service desk; up to 30 minutes a day |
| Extension | Up to 1 hour in 30-minute blocks, if a computer is free | Up to 30 minutes, if available |
| No-shows | Bookings are cancelled 10 minutes after the booking time | Not applicable |
Members can also borrow a laptop (up to 4 hours) or a tablet (no time limit) to use inside the library; these cannot be booked in advance, only one device is allowed per card, and they cannot leave the premises. Wi-Fi is free to everyone during opening hours, with unlimited data, but Wi-Fi printing is not available.
| Printing, per side of paper | Black and white | Full colour |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | $0.20 | $1.00 |
| A3 | $0.40 | $2.00 |
The Printing and Scanning page says a sheet printed on both sides counts as two pages. You pay by adding credit to your library card or a guest pass, by EFTPOS, before you use the printer. Unspent credit stays on the card and is not refunded. Scanning is free, to an email address or a USB stick, and a physical card is needed to activate the scanner. The City’s FAQ says faxing is not available and that cash is not accepted at libraries.
Is 3D printing available?
No, not at the moment. The City’s 3D printing page says the service is unavailable and will resume on 1 February 2027. You can fill in an expression of interest form to be told when it reopens. Once it is back, the City says it provides a quote per item and charges only for the filament used.
What can I hire at Casuarina Library?
The Casuarina Library meeting room seats up to 60 people and is air-conditioned, with a projector, screen, speakers, HDMI, a hearing loop, a kitchenette, a whiteboard and a lectern. It is bookable every day from 9am to midnight, excluding public holidays, and a key can be provided for after-hours access. The City’s meeting room page lists these rates, and also says new fees and charges took effect on 1 July 2026 and are in the Municipal Plan 2026/27:
| Hirer | Per hour (2-hour minimum) | Full day (8 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Not-for-profit | $25.00 | $110.00 |
| Commercial or private | $60.00 | $275.00 |
Casuarina also has free Quiet Rooms, which the City says are not soundproof, and the other libraries offer desk space for study. Children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at all times. A Justice of the Peace is at Karama Library every Wednesday from 12pm to 2pm, though the City says the program may change with volunteer availability.
What programs run at the libraries?
The City’s FAQ lists Story Time sessions (Baby Book Time, Rhyme Time, Pre-School Story Time, STEAM Story Time, All Abilities Story Time and Family Story Time), book clubs, Library Lounge, Monsoon Cinema, Lego Club, Tech Zone, author talks, and gaming and crafting. Times and branches vary. The City has a Programs page for the schedule.
Sources
- City of Darwin Libraries — Contact Libraries (checked 10 November 2026)
- City of Darwin Libraries — Library membership options
- City of Darwin Libraries — Using our collection
- City of Darwin Libraries — Digital Library
- City of Darwin Libraries — Computers and Wi-Fi
- City of Darwin Libraries — Printing and Scanning
- City of Darwin Libraries — 3D Printing
- City of Darwin Libraries — Book a meeting room (Casuarina)
- City of Darwin Libraries — FAQs
Featured image: Nightcliff Beach, September 2025 (photo: DaHuzyBru / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with City of Darwin or City of Darwin Libraries. Hours, fees and rules can change.