Part of the Whitehorse-Manningham collection of libraries, the Pines library is unique in that it…read moreis located as part of The Pines shopping complex. The magazine area in this branch is fabulous, light filled space with big tables and well spaced magazine displays perfect to wile away hours catching up on the latest fashion and home décor trends. The rest of the library could do with a face lift. The busy space is a little...tired. There is a small children's area to one side and the quiet study area is facilitated by one, yes one power outlet for laptops. The wifi is fast though! There is plenty of parking and a great bus link. A comfortable library and the perfect place to break up your shopping trip!

You'll need to reserve any popular book club type books waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy in advance…read more The people of Port Phillip are a literary lot and often you will notice that there are 20+ people on the reserve waiting list ahead of you. A quiet library with all of the usual services. I have never had to line up and staff are efficient, albeit not overly cheery. It's disappointing that the library is closed on Sundays. Two handy services are: 1. The book recycling bins - where your pre loved books can be donated to benefit others 2. Battery disposal units - dispose of your used batteries in the enviro friendly way

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.

Did you know there is a place where you can read the latest magazines, borrow DVDs and Cd's, get…read morenew release books and use computers and ipads...for FREE? I'm here today as an ex-librarian to share with you a secret. Your local library is not just a musty old room filled with old books and a cranky spinster telling you to "Be quiet!" Libraries are loud, fun and colourful and offer more services and entertainment then you thought! Rosanna Library is the smallest of the eight branches under the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service umbrella. It also happens to be my local. Despite the small size, the library works with what it has. I'm a fan of the large and colourful children's area that invites junior borrowers to play and read. The computer area that renders the Mac versus PC debate a non-issue or BYO laptop or ipad and use the free Wifi! Find a couch and stay a while or run in and out was quickly as possible with the self issue borrowing that lets you move on faster. Need help? Confused? Daunted? The staff will go out of their way to answer your questions and get you the information you need. They have heard it all so no question is too strange or obvious! They are also happy to have a chat or show you how to download the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy to your ipad. Yarra Plenty branches also host free events. Story times, morning tea, computer classes, cooking demonstrations just to name a few of the regular events you will find when you visit. Don't want to leave home, the YPRL website will keep you busy! You can thank me later!

The Brunswick Library is among the spacious and well loved of public libraries in the inner…read morenorthern suburbs. Housed in the old theatre of Brunswick Town Hall, it's got a relatively decent range of books, films and CDs in its collection that are free for anyone who wants to join up to borrow. The loan period errs on the short side for books, and there's a system of late fees for those tardy with returns. Anything out on loan can be booked for the whopping fee of $1.00, and will be held for you for a couple of days. The computers operate under a booking system, and they can be quite strict about this process so as to allow people without access to computers at home or at work to hook into the cyber age. There seems to be a good sized collection of foreign language books etc. to cater for Brunswick's famously multicultural (and multi-linguistic) community. There's also a bafflingly large collection of large print books for anyone who likes reading giant text. Readings and performances aimed at engaging with children's literacy are also held fairly regularly. The online catalogue can be confusing at times, with more specific search terms such as authors and titles often not churning out the desired results despite being present in their collection. Nonetheless, it's easy enough to work out a system around this, such as asking a librarian to do it for you. I find that usually gets you what you were looking for. But like any small library, it has its limitations, and finding more obscure books can be a bit hit and miss.

The big blue monolith that is the Brunswick library, shares it site with the Brunswick Town Hall…read more The library is actually set in the old Town Hall theatre. Once you walk off the street you are met with an art deco foyer that makes you think you might see a film that still has an intermission. The foyer has some toilets that run off it that are spacious and in serious need of renovation - especially to the stink. The interior of the library is spacious. The shelves of books run in loops and lines in the theatre space. Unfortunately the stage isn't used for anything - they should definitely incorporate it, so to with the balcony that runs around the wall, at the moment it's just wasted space. There is a ok selection of books, music and film here. Only a few computers for Internet use - but yes it's still free, and the staff are super friendly. When I started asking about the actual site, they seemed to get excited and 1 went off and printed off a few pages of information for me. I was informed of an upcoming renovation and the large cracks in the walls were pointed out to me. I really hope they incorporate the stage.

Borrow a book and return it, or pop another in its place. That is the only rule to using this cute…read morelittle free public library, located inside Melbourne Central. It's a cute use of a space too small to fit another retailer in. Obviously you wont find the dewey decimal system in place like a real library, since it's all public donation - although it was very orderly considering. A friend suggested some poor OCD person was probably tidying them up for everyone else. If you have some books collecting dust on your shelf, it's worth popping by to swap it for something fresh if you're passing through.

One of my favourite little hide aways when I am in Melbourne Central and want to have a break from…read morethe hustle and bustle. When browsing the books you never know what you will find to read on the way home on the train from work! But don't forget to return or donate a book or two too. This is a great initiative as I always wonder about the fate of books since the introduction of tablets.

Next to The Centre Ivanhoe is a large three story 1960's style building, home to the Ivanhoe…read moreLibrary. As part of the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service Ivanhoe Library has an amazing range of books, DVDs, cds and magazines. Ivanhoe Library hosts a wide range of events and has all the services you expect from your local library plus all the extras that are available at a YPRL branch. The ground floor is home to the information desk while the first floor has a Wii room and Genealogy area, the top floor is a space for events and study. From the third floor the view of Melbourne's CBD is stunning, a total distraction from your study. Free wifi and CBD views. What more could you want? On a balmy summers evening my favourite way to take a study break is grabbing an ice cream from Cosi Duci and spend time catching up with friends at the courtyard outside the library. It may not be the most modern building or innovative space, but as far as a traditional library atmosphere, Ivanhoe has it!

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.