A new digital media hub at Hawkesbury Central Library in Windsor is giving locals access to professional-grade recording and digitisation technology, opening the door for residents to create podcasts, preserve family history and develop new digital skills, all for free.
The “Live and On Air” style facility forms part of a broader technology upgrade at the library and includes a purpose-built, soundproof production studio equipped for podcasting, interviews and multimedia recording.
Inside the studio, users can access a multi-microphone setup designed for small group recording sessions, along with equipment suitable for both audio and basic video production.
Library staff say the space is designed to be accessible for beginners while still meeting the needs of experienced content creators, local groups and small businesses looking to produce professional-quality material without the cost of private studios.
Alongside the recording space, the hub also features a dedicated digitisation room, where residents can convert old photographs, slides, VHS tapes, cassettes and DVDs into digital formats. Public access computers with creative software complete the offering, providing tools for editing, design and content development.
For Windsor resident and aspiring podcaster James Walker, the new facility could be a game-changer for local storytellers.
“People in the Hawkesbury have so many stories from farming history to community sport and local business,” he said. “Having a space like this means you don’t have to go into Sydney or spend thousands just to get started.”
The project was supported by NSW Government library infrastructure funding and reflects a growing push to position public libraries as digital learning and production hubs, rather than just book-lending services.
Hawkesbury Library staff say the response so far has been strong, with interest coming from students, community groups and small businesses keen to explore podcasting, oral history projects and digital media production.
The hub is also expected to play a role in preserving local history, with opportunities for residents to record interviews, document family archives and contribute to community storytelling projects.
For many in the region, the upgrade represents a shift in what a local library can offer, blending traditional services with modern creative technology.
The “Live and On Air” hub is now open for bookings at Hawkesbury Central Library, Windsor.
