Animals in the Library Guidelines

Assistance animals

Assistance animals are permitted in the library

Assistance animals are medical aids, trained to help their human who is living with a disability. While all pet dogs (and pets in general) can make us feel better, give us unconditional love, and improve our overall quality of life, it takes years of training to become an Assistance animal. Animals need to be registered on the NSW Pet Registry via a local council to be considered an Assistance animal.

Assistance animals are granted full Public Access Rights, allowing them to accompany their human almost everywhere. Public Access Rights are granted only after thorough assessment, completed by accredited organisations, and must be re-issued yearly.

There are many types of assistance animals in NSW, however most fall into the following categories:

• Guide Dogs or Seeing Eye Dogs
• Hearing assistance dogs
• Physical assistance animals
• Psychiatric assistance animals
• Other assistance animals who are trained to assist people with disabilities such as epilepsy and dementia.
• On occasion, an animal that is not a dog may also be an assistance animal.

Most assistance animals wear some form of identification.
Examples of identification worn by assistance animals include vests, harnesses or collars identifying that they are associated with an assistance animal training organisation.

Light blue vests for pups in training and darker blue for fully accredited dogs.

Emotional Support/Therapy dogs and animals

Emotional Support/Therapy animals are not permitted in the library.

Emotional support and therapy animals provide comfort through their presence but are not trained to provide task‑based assistance. They do not have automatic public access rights and may only be present where permission is given. To maintain a comfortable and accessible environment for all customers, therapy and emotional support animals are not permitted in the library. 

Emotional support animals are not recognised by law and therapy animals are not recognised as assistance animals. There is no legally prescribed standard or accreditation process for emotional support or therapy animals. As they do not have public access rights, they are not protected under disability anti-discrimination laws if access to a venue is refused.

Last reviewed April 2026

Author Talk Guidelines

Purpose

Penrith City Library Service delivers author events that connect the community with ideas, stories and knowledge, supporting literacy, creativity and lifelong learning.

Scope

These guidelines apply to all author talks and literary events delivered by the Library, including in-person and online programs. It outlines criteria and expectations for authors, publishers and event partners. Author events are selected to ensure relevance, quality and community interest, while aligning with Library priorities and available resources.

Library Programs Guidelines

The Penrith City Library Service offers staff-organised programs for all ages throughout the year. All regular programs are run at the Library branches while some special programs are held in community spaces in partnership with other stakeholders.

The purpose of all our Library programs is to promote the Library’s collections, services, spaces, and the benefits of Library membership.

Our Library programs offer opportunities for the community to engage in a diverse range of educational and interest-driven events & activities and connect with fellow community members all while supporting local artists and presenters, within a safe and enriching environment.

Our children's programs, particularly our 'Little Learners' series tailored for ages 0 to 5, are held regularly to nurture early literacy, behavioural, and social skills in young minds. Through engaging activities and interactive sessions, these programs provide a supportive environment for children to explore, learn, and grow. By consistently offering these opportunities, we aim to lay a strong foundation for their lifelong development and learning.

Our adult programs offer a diverse range of single events and short-term series, each designed to ignite curiosity and foster lifelong learning journeys. These programs can sometimes serve as a gateway for adults to explore various subjects or areas of interest, providing them with a taste before committing to further formal study

The type and variety of programs varies year to year and are guided by community needs and the key outcomes of our Library Services Strategy 2023-2028, which can be found here: https://penrithcity.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/OPAC/DAENQ?SETLVL=&RI=1164111

The Penrith City Library Service offer programs that encourage:

Literacy and lifelong learning - programs focused on developing reading, comprehension, critical thinking, and study skills as well as developing practical skills such as problem solving, communication, time management and organisational skills.

Informed and connected citizens - programs focused on providing opportunities for participants to engage with their local community, access government services and actively participate in civic life to help build strong, informed and inclusive local communities.

Digital inclusion - programs focused on bridging the digital divide by providing training and support to participants to ensure they have the confidence and ability to effectively use digital technologies, such as computers, the internet, and digital devices.

Personal development and wellbeing - programs focused on promoting self-improvement, social inclusion, health, and well-being to help community members feel valued, connected, and empowered to thrive.

Stronger and more creative communities - programs focused on learning about and celebrating expressions of culture, identity, local history, and community pride to cultivate community spirit and interconnectedness.

Economic and workforce development - programs focused on employment development to help participants enhance their job readiness skills and on small business initiatives that will help participants improve their productivity and achieve business outcomes. 

Last reviewed July 2024

Management of Inappropriate Behaviour Guidelines

All Library visitors are required to adhere to the Penrith City Library Service Membership and Visitor Guidelines and comply with the NSW Library Act 1939 and the NSW Library Regulation 2018.

Any behaviour exhibited by Library visitors that does not comply with the guidelines, Act or Regulation or is deemed by staff to be placing the safety of visitors or staff at risk will not be tolerated and the following steps will be followed to address the behaviour:

• Depending on the severity of the behaviour, the Library visitor behaving inappropriately will be given a verbal warning by staff. If the visitor continues to behave inappropriately the visitor may be directed by staff to leave the Library for the duration of the day.
• Repeated inappropriate behaviour will result in a warning letter being issued to the visitor outlining that if the behaviour continues, they will be banned from attending any branch of the Penrith City Library Service for a period determined by the Head of Library Services.
• Depending on the severity of the behaviour the police may also be informed of any behaviour that does not comply with the guidelines, Act or Regulation or is deemed by staff to be placing the safety of visitors or staff at risk.

Illegal, violent and/or offensive behaviour will not be tolerated and will result in immediate expulsion and ban from attending any Penrith City Library Service branch for a period determined by the Head of Library Services. The police will also be notified.

Last reviewed July 2024

Membership and Visitor Guidelines

Membership

Membership of the Penrith City Library Service is free to all NSW residents. You can join at any branch of the library by presenting proof of your name and current address. There is no minimum age for joining, but those under the age of 16 years require a signature from their parent or guardian.

Joining Online

To join online and immediately access eResources, click the following link and select “Join Online” at the top right side of the page: penrith.city/library

No Fixed Address Membership

If you don’t have a permanent address, membership is available which allows access to eResources and up to three physical items. See desk staff.

Conditions of Membership

• To borrow items or book a study room, you must have your library membership card or use the library app.
• Up to 20 items can be borrowed for 3 weeks.
• Members with no fixed address memberships can borrow up to three physical items, can make up to three reserves and have full access to eResources.
• Items can be renewed twice. If a reservation has been placed on a loaned item, you will not be able to renew the item.
• Items can be returned at any branch. After hour returns chutes are available at Penrith, St Marys, and St Clair (during shopping centre opening hours) libraries.
• Membership is suspended if you have overdue items and/or outstanding charges.
• Overdue notices are a courtesy reminder for your convenience.
• The cost of all damaged and lost items must be reimbursed to the library.
• A reservation and/or inter-library loan service is available for those items which are on loan, available at another branch or at another library service.
• A small fee is charged for our inter-library loan service.
• All inter-library loan and lost membership card charges are non-refundable.
• Membership details are confidential and will not be disclosed to other parties.
• Let the Library know if your library card is lost or stolen (the member will be responsible for items borrowed before a card is reported lost or stolen).
• Notify us if you change your name, address, or contact details.
• A current library membership must be held for eligibility for the discounted member's rate on internet access.

Visitor Conditions

Library members, guarantors and visitors agree to:

• Comply with the NSW Library Act 1939 and the NSW Library Regulation 2018 as adopted by Penrith City Library Service
• Consider and respect others, including Library staff, in the Library
• Take care of library items
• Supervise those in your care
• Use the internet responsibly.

Last reviewed July 2024

Public Notice Area Guidelines

Overview

All display materials and pamphlets must be approved for display by library staff. As a Council-operated public facility, Penrith City Library must remain neutral and impartial, and must not be seen to endorse or oppose any particular viewpoint, belief, campaign, or cause.

Penrith City Library, at its sole discretion, will determine the suitability of materials for display and may add or remove items from this area at any time to ensure compliance with these guidelines.

Noticeboards

The library has limited noticeboard space available for local community news, events, and non-profit information. Items of a commercial nature will not be displayed. All approved materials will be labelled with a posting date. Library staff will remove items that have expired or have been on display for longer than three weeks.

Pamphlets

The library makes space available for the distribution of free materials such as pamphlets, flyers, brochures, leaflets, and other media that provide information about non-profit, community, educational, cultural, or recreational projects, events, or services.

As space is limited, the library does not guarantee ongoing or permanent display of materials for any individual or group.

To maintain the library’s neutrality as a Council facility, display materials and pamphlets will not be accepted or displayed if they fall into any of the following categories:

• Material that promotes or opposes specific viewpoints, beliefs, or positions, particularly on political, religious, sexual, social, or economic issues
• Material that promotes advocacy campaigns, lobbying, or petitions
• Material soliciting the sale or purchase of goods, services, or labour
• Material that is unsuitably or offensively presented
• Material that would occupy an excessive proportion of display space or interfere with normal library operations, including large banners or items that block walkways or open areas

Last reviewed March 2026

Unattended Children in the Library Guidelines

All children aged 10 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or appropriate carer when attending any branch of Penrith City Library Service.

Unattended children are at risk of leaving the library at any time, hurting themselves or being approached by strangers. Library staff do not supervise children in the library.

Legislation

Children left unattended in a public library may be classed as a child or young person at risk of harm in accordance with section 23 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW) and may be reported to the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice under section 24 of this Act. Parents who leave a child unattended in a public library are exposing their child to potential harm and may be committing an offence under section 228 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW).

Young children left alone in a library can become distressed, bored or disruptive. Young people who disturb other library users may be removed from the library under clause 17 of the Library Regulation 2018 (NSW).

Staff protocol for managing unattended children

Penrith City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation by embedding the 10 Child Safe Standards across our organisation's culture and practices.

If a child is found left unattended, staff will endeavour to contact the child’s parents.

If the parents cannot be contacted or, if the parents are not able to collect their child in a reasonable timeframe, staff will then call the police for assistance.

Closing the Library

If a child, aged 10 years or young, is left unattended at closing, staff will attempt to contact their parents.

If the parents are not able to be contacted or collect their child in a reasonable timeframe, staff will then call the police for assistance.

Two staff will stay with the child until the police or parent/guardian arrives.If a child above the age of 10 is left unattended at the time of closing, and staff have concerns for the welfare of the child, staff follow the same procedure as they would for a child who is aged 10 years or younger.

This guideline is based on the NSW Public Library Children’s Policy Guidelines developed by the State Library of NSW.

Last reviewed July 2024