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!

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

This is my local library and I have been using it regularly since I moved to this suburb two…read moredecades ago. The library has a pretty good selection of books, magazines, DVDs and CDs to borrow. As this is Coburg there are a large selection of books in languages other than English - Greek, Turkish, Italian, Spanish, Serbian, Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, French and Hindi. It also has meeting rooms, photocopiers, computers with public Internet access and a few quite study rooms. However, the library is a converted supermarket and this presents two problems: it has flooded in the past with heavy rain (although a new extensive drainage system at the front door might stop this in the future) and, although it carpeted, it is still a large supermarket-like space. This means that the children's part of the library is not separated from the rest of the space and the noise of the children carries everywhere. I look at the display of new books, the magazines and the DVDs; then borrow a copy of Art & Australia magazine and a DVD the old ABC comedy series Frontline. Outside of the library, along the north window, there is a long row of benches that are very popular with Coburg's locals.

Everyone that works here has been super friendly and helpful. I love that they give you free login…read morepassword for the WiFi. You can print black and white papers for $0.20. There always seems to be a long line for the women's bathroom..

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.