For those of you following me I'm sure it is no surprise to see yet another library review…read more Libraries have always been part of my life, so much so that I spent over twelve years working in one. Anyway to the review at hand. Fitzroy Library at first glance is representative of the suburb it inhabits. Eclectic. Its location near the Town Hall between Smith and Brunswick Streets means that it probably should be busier then I found it to be an a quiet Monday morning. The staff were friendly, helpful and quick to assist! As a non-member i was still able to use the free wifi which was helpful, although its speed was a little sluggish. I loved the layout, despite being essentially one long room the stacks separate sections and give the appearance of little enclaves and lounge areas. The overall effect is one of intimacy. Chinese and Vietnamese collections mingle with fiction, nonfiction, children's and magazine collections. The study carrels with power points are perfect for a long haul session. Bonus points for the current fine amnesty!

- Friendly, comfortable and accommodating. - The staff are…read morepleasant and helpful. - The Wifi connection is rather slow and occasionally drops out. - Often quite loud, as there are always plenty of children on the communal computers, so if you need silence to work, this is not the place for you. - Offers a number of children's community programs including a story time and playgroup. - A large number collection of foreign language texts available for loan. - The DVD selection is on the small side, but does have some decent arthouse and difficult to find titles.

Our group recently stopped atthe State Library of Victoria where the story of Ned Kelly and Redmond…read moreBarry was brought to life in the now infamous bullet proof armor permanently on exhibit. The La Trobe reading room (a tourist attraction in its own right) was packed with students on a Public holiday nonetheless. Stunning! Opened in 1913, this magnificent octagonal reading room is six stores high and can house 32,000 books and 320 readers at its desks. When it was built, the enormous reinforced-concrete structure was the largest in the world. Known as the Domed Reading Room until it was refurbished and reopened in 2003, the building is an architectural feat.

My wife and I had heard about the State Library, and was interested in seeing what this looked like…read moreand ... there's no comparison with the libraries that we've been to. There is a big section of town where the trams are free to ride, and if you catch one of the 2 right trams, you can visit many of the attractions. We rode to the State Library - it was quite awesome to see how big it was, how many people - including many students - were using the facilities. There was also an interesting Children's Section. Interesting were also the various statues in front, including that "no-good" St. George that killed those poor innocent cute little dragons! Sob!

I love lending libraries, particularly since one person pointed out that it is one of the very few…read moreplaces left in the world where we are not expected to spend money. They do have a decent selection of books, though of course, all the ones that I am looking for don't happen to be available. The other thing is that they have a decent-sized DVD collection, and not surprisingly a selection of comic books, including ones that aren't your typical superhero comics (though they have a fair few there as well). Sure, the wifi may be slow, but that usually has something to do with the number of people using it at the same time. Oh, and they have a coffee shop at the entrance.

This is one of the hidden gems that makes Melbourne CBD a bit of a special place for locals…read more What other library has a kick arse cafe downstairs, excellent bars and restaurants outside, fab new decor and an interior replete with dozens of nooks and niches for reading pleasure? Fuck all, that's how many. This place lends books (and they have a great selection for their size) but is just a relaxing place to kill an hour if you're in the city and don't feel like getting pissed yet. Alternatively, if you've had a couple and don't want to get your buzz on too much, it's a great place to curl up with a book, newspaper or magazine and just pass a bit of time. They also show art here and the gallery space is pretty rad. Plus, they have a craft market here from time to time, and it's proved the perfect buying ground for birthday pressies and make-up treats. Zing!

Northcote Library is a large building across from Northcote Plaza on Seperation Street. As one of…read morefour Darebin libraries it has a wide range of books, DVDs, magazines and Cd's. There is a charge to request a hold ($1) which is more then some libraries charge but less then others. Considering all the amazing lending you receive free a hold change is nothing to complain about is it? Northcote Library itself is well set out. On the ground level you will find the fiction area, information desk and public computers, on the upper level is the nonfiction, a large and colourful junior area, a Italian language area, audio visual and event room. This library is missing a large area for laptop and wifi users although there are study corrals with power points for this use. Staff are friendly and helpful and provide a wide range of free events, classes and storytimes! Northcote Li bray is a great community hub. If your planning to spend the day here keep in mind that a 3 hour parking limit applies at Northcote Plaza and there is limited all day parking in the near by area. Perhaps catch the tram!

I do adore my local biblioteca, the Northcote Library. I'm a student at UniMelb but live in this…read moreneck of the woods so I do come here a lot to study. The Internet is free (and pretty reliable) with a library card and they do have computer stations if you are sans-lappytop. Print stations are also there if you need to print off some sweet recipes or your underwater basket weaving thesis. I haven't ever had trouble finding a quiet table to study with a power port nearby to plug in. The book section isn't massive, but there is enough there that you should be able to find at least one or a few books you have been wanting to read but never got around to because of all those 30 Rock DVDs you bought. You can also check out the online catalog and order books from other Darebin library locations to be sent to you for hold at Northcote. There is a small DVD section that could honestly use a bit more options but the music selection seems to be pretty good. For the news junkies in the house, there are plenty of newspapers and mags to keep you winning the current events round at trivia. It's a welcome space for whatever you're looking for out of a library and you'd be simply mad to not utilize this awesome resource.

Great library . Nice and big. Very spacious and quiet. The staff are helpful and nice to talk to…read more The people are respectful and quiet at this library. The interior is classic Brighton but it is quite old fashioned and in need for a modernisation.

I love this library. I spent countless hours here as a child and I remember arguing with my Mum…read moreabout how many books I could borrow at a time. Ah, those were the days. The selection here is fantastic. Kids have it the best with a big kids section and plenty of chairs and bean bags to chill out on. There are always decorations in this area too. There are computers available for public use as well as a few for looking up that one book you have been trying to find for ages. The staff are very helpful but you often have to wait awhile so the computers are a blessing. I like that the books are mostly in the right places. There are a few libraries in the area where there aren't enough staff so it can get very hard to find things as no one is keeping tabs on naughty people who return them to the wrong places. Beware of keeping a book from here for too long - the fines get really big, really fast. There was a time when I avoided the library for almost a year because I knew I had such a big fine. Luckily for me the system crashed at some point in that year and they lost the fine histories. That sure was a nice surprise the next time I went back. As a library card holder you get a little book bag with Knox Library written on it. It's great for holding all your books so cherish it and wear it with pride!! No seriously, I'm not joking. That bag lasted me years!

Good library. When I was at school, I'd get mum to ditch me at the library so she could do her…read moreshopping and I could get some study done without the distractions that I always used to manage to find at home, no matter how much of an isolation chamber I turned my room into. Then later on, when I was at uni, I used this place a few times because they had the books I needed for assignments that I couldn't get at my campus library simply because there were more students doing those assignments than there were copies of the book available. Since then, I've tended to not go in as much. It's a good library, but there are a couple closer to me. I do still have my library card, though. Sometimes if I"m doing some shopping, I'll go in and borrow a novel or three. Cheaper than buying.

In this day and age of technology where we are starting to read everything online and download our…read morebooks, it's sometimes nice to lose yourself in a library and appreciate that old book smell. Feeling stressed? Need to forget the outside world? You can do it at Carlton Library. Snuggle in to one of the comfy couches in the window with a good book/magazine/newspaper and let the hours drain away. I recommend it when you are hungover.

The modern library building stands out in otherwise traditional Rathdowne Village. Like most local…read morelibraries, it seems to be jam packed with children having sing-a-longs whenever you need to do quiet study, but if you're just there for a casual browse at fiction it is deadly quiet. The range of fiction is okay, with a particular emphasis on Australian authors. The local history section is the only non-fiction section I ever use, and I rate it for a small library, although if you want access to archived newspapers or other historic documents you're better off heading into the State Library of Victoria. If it's current newspapers you're after, the Carlton Library gets a decent amount of Chinese and European language news - it's definitely the most popular section in the mornings, but it's a pity the readers can't bring their coffees in!

I've never seen a library so kick ass. Of course, they have bountiful books. But in addition, they…read morehave a coffee bar inside complete with food, private booths to watch movies, game stations for kids to play, and the usual computers and free internet access. They also have the council located inside if you have questions about the area. However the only drawback is the Wi-Fi is very slow if you're using council Wi-Fi, and entry to the classes are extremely strict. I wanted to take a resume class, but they would not let me in on account of my age. :/ Otherwise, I am very please with what the city of Melbourne has done to turn this library into a community gathering spot, where various films and sports games are screened. The outside TV fosters community and togetherness. Every city should have a library like this one.