This is an awesome library. Love the cafe inside. It has fantastic coffee, biscuits and lunches…read more The book selection is great and if they don't have it, they'll try to get it in for you. Free wi-fi which was strong and late hours - perfect for study and work. Also, unlike other libraries (like at Hastings) most people here were respectful and quiet. It can be difficult to get a parking spot across the road, but if you circle around the block you'll usually get lucky on a second pass. The library is conveniently located close to the beach and the main street, so if you feel like clearing your head then there's lots of fun options. Highly recommend.

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.

It's probably not the best location so not a lot of people goes there, which is fantastic for…read morepeople in the know as there are tons of library books that's probably has long waiting lists in the other libraries. They even have a 3D printing machine there which is super cool. Why have they got one there? I have nooooo idea! The children book area are well laid out and there are interactive games for children to play.

Where do I start, amazing views, amazing work and meeting areas, funky, digital native heaven,…read morechild frienfdly, a real Google/Yahoo factory feel. Plenty of space, technology is amazing, digital printing just print and send. (See pic) tram at the door right at the end of the new Collins Street Docklands stop. Quiet areas, the ambience is amazing. The only downfall that does not detract from 5 stars is the private cafe operator, no eftpos no cards, cash only, bitter coffee, lack lustre personality, time for a change of contractor I'd say or maybe some feedback from management to embrace the near perfect space. Oh, the plasma under the coffee tables are great and the best way to get your daily news fix. Love it Melbourne City Council. Oh and FREE Wifi woo hoo

It is difficult to know how to rate this library. As Sophie L says, the selection of books is…read morelimited and the interior is nothing to write home about. There is a toilet (good) but it is pretty ordinary (not so good). On the other hand, the staff are great and the children's story time has got to be the best in the world. Yes, I'm serious, the best in the world. Compulsory for all local(ish) parents. Get there early if you want to be anywhere near the book - it is popular.

The Albert Park branch of the Port Phillip Library really isn't anything to write home about…read more The selection of books is pretty limited. The only genre that seems to be well stocked is the teen section, so if you're looking for Sweet Valley High or Goosebumps then you're good to go. Otherwise, not so much. However, there is something quite cozy and cute about this place. So if you want to curl up with a (potentially) good book, go and check it out.

I've quietly sat, read, and worked on assignments at this library many times. Too many times. I…read morecan't begin to calculate how many hours of my life have been spent here, reading and taking notes, wishing that whatever assignment I was doing would magically be over. It's a pretty standard library. The library is well stocked, and if they don't have what you're after, maybe they can request it from one of the other branches at Balwyn, Camberwell, Hawthorn or Kew. I've done that before, but I usually find it easier and faster just to drive to whatever branch has what I need. I guess the important thing is that it's nearly always had what I have needed, and it's a good quiet place to work if you find working at home distracting.

The staff are happy at Ashburton Library. It makes a difference, it means that I don't feel weird…read moreabout staying too long in a comfy chair reading a book. I know that sounds strange, after all I'm allowed to be there, but I feel like I'm encroaching on someone's turf getting settled at a library. These guys work there every day, they don't need to see my mug neck-deep in a book for several hours when I could just as easily grab and go. Happy staff, tick. Good range of books, tick. Catalogue that is well built and functional, tick. Done and done. Time to go to the library!

I used to come here back when I was still studying, and I must say-I don't like the place. Not one…read morebit. It's full of teens, hanging out and making loud annoying conversation. I don't understand why they come to the library (a place of peace and knowledge), to socialize- I suppose because it's free. Annoying teenyboppers aside, the library itself is decent sized. There is a section for children, holding a good variety of children's books and activities. There are magazines and newspapers available here, and you are able to borrow from a range of fiction, non fiction, CDs and audiobooks. This library has a silent study area (which isn't always silent), and a few silent study rooms (max 2 people). There are also computers and printers/photocopiers available at this library. Computers may need to be booked, they are usually taken up by kids playing online games. I like libraries; I like the idea of a quite study space and borrowing books. But this one? I'd rather stay at home.

The Glen Waverley library, located on Coleman Pde is a decent sized library with a big selection of…read morefiction, non-fiction, magazines, DVDs. I have been here many a time looking for resources for my uni assignments (studying online at a uni in another state makes it difficult to borrow from the uni library!). I have always found a good array of books on whatever subject I am after. are also plenty of tables and desks for reading and studying. The staff are helpful for anyone having trouble navigating the book search. The set up is great and easy to follow. I don't feel like I have stepped into a maze when tying to find the call number of a book. The library also has computers for internet use, photocopiers, scanners, and a great little children's section for keeping the little ones occupied.

This library is situated right next to the Mt Waverley Train station, making it extremely…read moreaccessible and easy to get to. I enjoy coming to this library, there is a good selection of books on offer- and they are usually where they're supposed to be. This library is has a relatively open plan layout in comparison to other libraries I've been to. The study area is visible from the second you walk inside, desks are placed side by side to maximize space and private study rooms may be booked (2 people per room). There are a few computers here that can also be booked, but these tend to get pretty busy during afterschool hours. This is a simple library that is quiet most of the time, I tend to avoid 3:30-5:00pm as there are usually kids who run about making loud noises. Overall this is a good simple library, nothing extravagantly good or bad about the place. Just your basic local library.

Mount Waverley Library has updated a little in the last 10 years. A coat of paint, newer computers,…read moreand leather-look seats. Very nice. The library is small, but often full of people coming in to read the paper, use the computers, or even just relax on their lunch break. It's very friendly and peaceful, far more so, I think, than it's partner Glen Waverley. This is the one to go for for the children's section. The junior books section (ranging from learning to read to teenage novels) takes up half the library. Mount Waverley also boasts a very good audiobook section for those of you who like to "read" while driving.

Everyone should make friends with their public library. Mine is one of my favourite places in my…read moreneighbourhood, and wherever you are, your public library should be one of your favourite places too. Why? 1) Free books.* Hello? And if books aren't your thing (well, what's wrong with you, for starters), there are magazines and most libraries now also have pretty good DVD and CD collections. Sure, it's not extensive, but browsing the St Kilda Library DVD section has seen me stumble along some classics that I would never have thought to pick up at a DVD store (or to, ahem, attain in other ways). Sure, you often have to place things on reserve and wait forever for them (I am currently 60 out of 69 in the waiting list for JK Rowling's Casual Vacancy), but this teaches you patience. 2) Everything you need to know about your local community, you can learn from your library. Okay, maybe not everything, but you can get a really great sense of the people in the area. You can tell this by the different languages stocked, the notices on the community board, or the kind of free seminars that are held. 3) That brings me to the next point - free events. I have been to talks about Buffy the Vampire Slayer at my library, poetry readings and book launches. I have overheard a talk on composting and seen flyers for something about worm farms (I think it was green week). Libraries also do cool things for kids, like storytime and craft things on school holidays. 4) Free wi-fi. St Kilda Library is usually packed with backpackers making the most of this. Before I got wi-fi at home, I spent even more time at the library. 5) The people watching is FANTASTIC. This relates a little to point 2. A lot of the time, people who hang out in the local library are just, you know, doing their thing. But sometimes, if you are lucky, their thing is being crazy. Or in the case of French backpackers, making out quite noisily while you are trying to concentrate on the paper you are writing. (Okay, not all French backpackers, but that one couple that time has tarred you all with the loved-up brush.) And finally, 6) Free books. What? I thought it was worth mentioning twice. So what's so special about St Kilda Library? I don't know, mainly just that it is my local, the place that I like to go to get a bit of work done yet at the same time get out of the house. Maybe if I moved away I would come to love my new local library as much as St Kilda, but for now it's just a familiar space. It had a bit of a refurbish recently so they have more computer banks and the like, but have maintain the slightly daggy decor that I think is important for any public library. I got a bit upset when they stopped counter service (the librarians and I used to have some good chats over the checkout) and installed self-service machines...but then a colleague who lives in the area told me that you can select "Pirate" as one of the language options. Arrrrrrrrgh. *Yes, I know technically the books aren't free but are actually paid for by local rates and taxes, but it's not like you're paying for them upfront. And isn't it nice that our rates go to awesome things like books?

As a mother of two, I've learned to love my local library. This place is an amazing resource right…read moreat your fingertips. They have an amazing selection of children's cooks, DVDs, games, and plenty for the adults. Bonus to it all is the story time, they even have it in Russian! They've recently re-modeled the library as well so it is a bit more modern and to check out books, you no longer need to stand in line to have a person do it, you can walk over to a super easy check out kiosk that even takes to security off DVDs and games. It's way cheaper to read a book from the library than a book store and with such a great selection, why waste the money? You can even log on the website and reserve books if you're in a hurry. They'll email or SMS you when they are ready for pick up and the reserved area is right by the check out kiosks!