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!

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.

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!

This place is beautifully airey and quiet. Always great when a library smells good. Very relaxing…read morespace but could do with a few more work stations. Nice place to study or sit out of the wind, there are plenty of magazines and resources.

After a years absence I returned to this library on the weekend and I was shocked! They managed to…read moreredesign it in the image of my perfect library. Thanks guys. Eltham Library suits the bush setting it is located in. Lots of wood and curving verandas on the outside and a huge cavernous space yet also intimate inside. The complex is also home to a cafe and gallery space so if you need a study break you can grab a coffee or some inspiration. The futuristic returns machine greets you as you head in. It takes getting used to but is a novelty for now. Then there is the fantastic magazine area complete with tables and a fire! The large and slightly segregated children's area flows out to a courtyard space with an arty vibe and great for warmer weather. The large teen space is where you should head to play the Wii or like, chillax. There are plenty of public computers and if you head up to the mezzanine their is a quiet study area which is a great place to head with your laptop, or overlook Shillinglaw Cottage down the back of the main level. As part of Yarra Plenty Library they have a great range of books, magazines and audio visual items and they do a fantastic events program that reflects the artistic community. The staff are fabulous and friendly so head in and say hello!

It possible that even locals don't know it's there. You have to search for it to find it, and even…read morethen it's a challenge! Located down a residential street behind the new council redevelopment I shouldn't judge too harshly. After all it is a make shift location until the new library is completed. The Doncaster library makes the most of a pretty dire situation. They are located in something akin to a scout hall or portable classroom. However once you get past that (literally, and are inside) things aren't so bad. There are study desks with power points to take advantage of the free wifi as well as large tables to spread out newspapers and magazines. As part of the Whitehorse-Manningham library system they have a wide collection of books, magazines and audiovisual. they have a children's area, Greek collection and Genealogy section. It may be compact and temporary, but unfortunately I have visited worse libraries. I look forward to visiting the new development. For now Doncaster library 'makes do' with what it can. The staff need something to do, so feel free to go in and ask for help!

The first thing you'll notice when you see the library is the amazing design of the building. Since…read morethe Manningham Council Square was only very recently built, it was a nice modernist look to it. But that's not it though, as the interior also has a striking look. The library takes up the first floor of the building, with these sections: the computers, the magazines, the books, the DVD/CDs, the Wii, the tables and the children's section. There are approximately 12 to 15 computers that runs Windows 8 and have touch-screen monitors, 2 USB ports, a disc drive, a microphone jack and an earphone jack. The magazine section consists of many publications, and even some recent newspapers. Just for the photography genre I counted 3 publications, with each of them having around 15 to 20 issues. In the book section there are a lot of shelves, with 'Young Adults', 'Non-Fiction', 'Fantasy','Travel', 'Architecture' and many other labels attached to them. There's a catalogue computer if you need assistance. There is one shelf of DVDs, and one shelf of CDs. I didn't pay much attention to the CD section, but the DVDs consist of movies, documentaries and tv series (including anime). And yes, there is a Wii! In fact, two of them. They each have one different game disc inserted. To play, you need to borrow a remote from the staff. As for the tables, there are around 5 very long tables, for those who want to bring out their own tablet or laptop to work or play. The children's section: I have never been there, but I do know that there are quite a few children books, and parents often gather there to organise activities. Finally, the books, magazines, DVDs and CDs often get transferred to and fro amongst other Manningham libraries, and you can ask to reserve and/or transfer these for free.

Sometimes when you're looking for a "cafe to do work" you'll find a cafe in the basement of a…read morewonderful library. This is one of them. There are lots of quiet spaces to spread out and work and the locals definitely know this as a solid go-to spot. Glad I found it, but wouldn't have known had the coffee shop not been right in front of the library's entrance.

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