Global Information Centre | Ipswich Library & Information Services, South Street (1995-2020)

The Ipswich Global Information Centre location of Ipswich library opened on February 3rd 1995.

The opening of the library coincided with the official launch of the Global Info Links. A program that made Ipswich the first local authority in Australia to provide internet connection to residents.

Prior to this, the library had been located on Bell and East St. This new location was spread over 3 floors and larger than its predecessor. 

The library featured public access computers with internet connectivity, computerised catalogues and self check out terminals.

At the time of opening, this was one of two library locations in the Ipswich Library & Information Service, with the other being Redbank Plaza. Redbank Plains library would be incorporated into the service later that year with the amalgamation of Moreton Shire and Ipswich City Councils.

The library featured fiction, non-fiction and reference collections as well as multimedia. The Barry Jones Auditorium, named in honour of the Australian politician, seated 120 and was bookable for public events. This space was accessed via covered walkway on the ground floor. 

In 2000, the Viva Cribb local history room was opened inside the library, named in honour of local personality Viva Cribb. 

In 2017, a STEAM maker space was introduced on the ground floor of the library, featuring 3d printing, virtual reality green room and augmented reality tables.

The library was closed on Sunday November 8th 2020. During this closure, the adult and teen collections were separated from the children's collections in preparations for their move to new, separate library locations.

Following a 2 week closure, the ground floor of the library reopened on November 23rd as the Interim Children's library. 

The current Ipswich Central Library opened on Nicholas St on 7th December 2020.