Welcome to Central West Libraries
Our Libraries at Blayney, Canowindra, Cowra, Forbes, Manildra, Molong and Orange are welcoming spaces for everyone.
Masks are no longer required in the library; we support your personal choice to wear, or not wear a mask. Hand sanitiser is available in our libraries.
Please enjoy all our online activities – Story Box Library, author talks, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines through Borrowbox, Indyreads and Libby, and stream movies: Kanopy Kids, Kanopy and Beamafilm. Access these services on your own device anywhere anytime using your CWL Membership Card. If you need assistance with your membership, please call us on 6393 8132. Thank you.
Central West Libraries Update
Central West Libraries is a regional library service with branches at Blayney, Canowindra, Cowra, Forbes, Manildra, Molong and Orange.
Please note Molong Library will remain closed until repair work is completed after a damaging storm.
Molong borrowers please retain your items, or alternatively you can return or borrow items at any of our Central West Libraries.
Blayney, Canowindra, Cowra, Forbes, Manildra and Orange libraries continue to operate their normal opening hours.
2023 Banjo Paterson Writing Award Winners
The winners of the annual Banjo Paterson Writing Awards announced at the Orange Readers and Writers Festival on Saturday 5 August are:
- Timothy Guy, of Cowra, for his Short Story Anna
- Jonathan Cant, of Sydney, for his Contemporary Poem Thunderstorm at Newton Boyd
- Kaitlyn Rutledge, of Woodstock, for Blood Runs Faster Than Water
- Ebony Inman, of Mullion Creek, for We’re Gonna Be Okay
- Jenna Poore, of South Coast, for The Journey Through The Simpson Desert
The Banjo Paterson writing Awards were established in 1991 to honour Banjo Paterson, a great Australian writer, and favourite son of Orange, with a competition to encourage Short Story or Poetry writing with Australian content. The call for entries is announced each year on 17 February, the anniversary of Banjo’s Birthday.
Congratulations to all who entered the competition and the 2023 winners. the Short Story and Contemporary Poetry winners take home cash prizes of $2,000 each.
Keep up the writing everyone!
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Recollect Central West
A digital space to capture and share history, heritage and stories of Central West NSW.

The CWL app is live!
Download the new Central West Libraries app to streamline your library experience.
Available on your phone or tablet, the app brings the library to you!
Download now by searching for Central West Libraries in your app provider, or visit one of our branches, call on 6393 8132 or email us at [email protected]