I have a strange, or maybe not so strange, perhaps you can help me with this. I have a tendency to…read morewant to own a book that I read. To keep it on my shelf once I've read it as a trophy of my fierce encounter with those literary pages so thoroughly steeped in ink. Every now and again I'll read a book think 'trash' and palm it off to a friend or relative for them to do with it what they will, but most of the time I like the collection on my bookshelf to read like a list of knowledge that I have sucked from the pages and sewn into my brain. The severed heads of the books I have read on the pinewood shelves as a warning to all books that enter my house. I will read you! With that said, I have from time to time utilised the library situated just up the road in the Italian Forum; for books, magazines and for CD's. While they don't have a gigantic range, I have not failed to find a book that I was after. I put that to good purchasing on the libraries part, but also to savvy book finding skills on my part. Fiction, fact, musical CD's all catalogued as you would expect from a library, and that said, can we assume that it is rare for a library to break the mould and wreak of independent thought and renegade cataloguing? Yes it is rare, and not apparent here. It's a library, it lends books and it provides work space for people to do research and learn. There are author talks and book clubs and even a space that showcases local art. I'm going to give it a four because it is a good library albeit not a very original one.

Love this library - they have a great selection of books, especially nonfiction. The library is…read moremuch bigger than it looks - you could spend hours in there!

This is a small branch of the Marrickville library that doesn't get alot of traffic. It's located…read morewith the St Peter's Town Hall on Unwins Bridge Road. If you are after a bit of peace and quiet, however, this is the library for you. Its head branch Marrickville is quite simply, a circus at the best of times. It is full of people at all times of the day and filled with kids after school as a sort of unofficial (and unsupervised) after school care. St Peters library actually has some great fiction, whoever is doing the book buying and allocation there is doing a fantastic job, because I can walk in and see three or four books I want to read based on well known titles and authors. Park in surrounding streets or on Unwins Bridge Road during the day. Although it is a clearway southbound from 4pm-6pm.

Walked by this building several times without knowing it was the state library. Impressed with the…read morediverse the collection. Part, museum, and multiple changing galleries. They also have a modern wing. Welcoming atmosphere, at the historical building with a warm hearty greeting. Close to the Royal botanic Gardens,

Quality/Quantity - Well if you are following, we visit all…read morethe local libraries during our travels. Great place to take a break. It is clean, has AC, bathrooms, wifi, etc. Atmosphere - Open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. The lobby hours differ, see picture. 5 stories, 6 if you count the lobby, see picture of directory. Cool lobby decor, especially the glass floors of Sydney Harbor. Some history and art are also in the lobby. Plenty of comfortable seating throughout. Cool garden, exhibit, etc. A cafe on the 5th floor, but I think it was closed today. Not sure what time we arrived. I'm told they used to have a bar here. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - Thank you for such a good public service.

Strathfield library at Homebush is a new architecturally designed building with glass windows and…read morehigh ceilings. Strathfield being an old suburb, I didn't expect the library to be modern. Clearly the council has recognised libraries being an important part of culture and have upgraded the place to the latest standards. The collection is quite extensive. They offer books, audiobooks (my favourite to take on long drives) movie dvd's, magazines, newspapers, and so much more. They offer books in other foreign languages too, to cater to the growing asian population in Sydney. Justice of Peace (JP) services are also offered in the library on wednesdays. The library offers various community incentives to use and take home. They provided a Car Accident Checksheet long back and more recently are offering a Home Power usage metre to borrow.

Free wi-fi, couple quite study rooms. You can come and study or read in there as well. Have space…read morefor kids to play too.

Newtown library is a little gem, hidden away in a historic building on Brown street near the 7-11,…read moreit has a larger selection than you would expect. It's conveniently located as I work just around the corner at R&W Newtown Real Estate, so I often pop in to check out an investment or architecture book. There's a fair bit of fiction, a relatively small amount on investment and business (compared to some larger libraries such as Chatswood, Hurstville, etc), a surprisingly large amount on architecture and DIY homecare, and unsurprisingly (for Newtown) a lot of spirituality, philosophy, arts etc. There is also a seperate large looking 'Women's Library' which I haven't ventured into yet but which has different community events regularly.

Newtown library is one of the better local public libraries I've been to before. Unlike most…read morelibraries that have an outdated collection of books and a small, usually conservative range of topics to choose from, Newtown has a good sized collection of books on a wider range of contemporary issues and topics than most public libraries. I like going there to browse the books on music, spirituality and graphic novels as well as to hire DVDs. You can also hire a computer to use the net here too, which is handy and means you can save on all those dollars spent at the internet cafe.

I come here every three weeks because I can borrow Japanese books, magazines, comic books ( I…read moreborrow only Shigeru Mizuki's such as Gegege No Kitaro) and language text books/CDs. This library is in the great location. It's just in front of Circular Quay Station and Bus Terminals, plus very close to my work place. Free wifi Toilet locates in the 1st floor Very lovely and trendy restaurant

Is life in the Eastern Subbsies getting you down? The constant pressure to look good and feel great…read morebecoming more than you can bare? Maybe you're just sick of floppy felt hats and high-waisted jorts. Fret not, friend, for there is an oasis of calm within reach. Perched above secluded Redleaf beach (AKA Murray Rose Pool) like a wise and paternal owl is DB Library, a small, charming, and utterly delightful little place in an old heritage/style building with views over the gardens and the ocean, fast, free wi-fi, books and magazines, open, light-splashed group work areas, and nooks to hide yourself in. Frequented by everyone from octeganarians familiarising themselves with the internet to students working on uni projects to yummy mummies planning out their next blog post. My finest find this month.

Beautiful view of the public garden, bay, and tennis court. Plenty of lighting with…read morefloor-to-ceiling windows at the end of the library with adjustable curtains for when the sun is shining a little too directly into the library. Rather limited seating, as this place is surprisingly popular. Only two worktables and another small table with 4 public computers with internet for public use. Unprotected, free WiFi available. I also appreciate how they maintain a warm, comfortable temperature inside (especially during winter!). While there are decorative and inviting cushions scattered throughout the small library, there are no real comfy lounge chairs to enjoy a book. Best to come here to grab a book and do work, but not really to lounge. There is a separate children's library downstairs as well. Nice way to keep working/studying adults & children apart.