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!

Northcote Library is a large building across from Northcote Plaza on Seperation Street. As one of…read morefour Darebin libraries it has a wide range of books, DVDs, magazines and Cd's. There is a charge to request a hold ($1) which is more then some libraries charge but less then others. Considering all the amazing lending you receive free a hold change is nothing to complain about is it? Northcote Library itself is well set out. On the ground level you will find the fiction area, information desk and public computers, on the upper level is the nonfiction, a large and colourful junior area, a Italian language area, audio visual and event room. This library is missing a large area for laptop and wifi users although there are study corrals with power points for this use. Staff are friendly and helpful and provide a wide range of free events, classes and storytimes! Northcote Li bray is a great community hub. If your planning to spend the day here keep in mind that a 3 hour parking limit applies at Northcote Plaza and there is limited all day parking in the near by area. Perhaps catch the tram!

I do adore my local biblioteca, the Northcote Library. I'm a student at UniMelb but live in this…read moreneck of the woods so I do come here a lot to study. The Internet is free (and pretty reliable) with a library card and they do have computer stations if you are sans-lappytop. Print stations are also there if you need to print off some sweet recipes or your underwater basket weaving thesis. I haven't ever had trouble finding a quiet table to study with a power port nearby to plug in. The book section isn't massive, but there is enough there that you should be able to find at least one or a few books you have been wanting to read but never got around to because of all those 30 Rock DVDs you bought. You can also check out the online catalog and order books from other Darebin library locations to be sent to you for hold at Northcote. There is a small DVD section that could honestly use a bit more options but the music selection seems to be pretty good. For the news junkies in the house, there are plenty of newspapers and mags to keep you winning the current events round at trivia. It's a welcome space for whatever you're looking for out of a library and you'd be simply mad to not utilize this awesome resource.

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

Opposite the Watsonia Shopping precinct lies a hidden gem in wait. An unsuspecting building that…read morelocals pass on the way down to Watsonia Train Station. What lies within? You guessed it (or maybe the review title gave it away) it is the Watsonia Library! This modern and spacious library is the perfect antidote to musty old libraries of the past. This public space has free computer use, free wifi, free events, free borrowing. Just bring some ID with your current address and you have the facilities of 8 Yarra Plenty Regional Libraries at your fingertips. Awesome yes? Watsonia has space to relax, study or read in. The young adult area has funky seats, magazines, books, graphic novels and DVDs. The aisles a wide enough to comfortably browse the fiction, non-fiction and large print collections. They also have an outdoor reading area for those sunny days where being outside is the only option. The library has lots of places to enjoy the events program or to read a magazine and a room that is available for hire. Just ask the staff at the desk. The self check out system is fast and easy to use, and the friendly staff here are happy to show you how to use it and answer any questions you have. Wastonia Library is modern, spacious and innovative. If you like you libraries musty and old school then head elsewhere!

I really should have checked the website before heading down to the library this morning to drop…read moreoff my books as I got there at 11 am and was there two hours before opening. Seriously? - they open at 1 pm. That would have to be the laziest opening hours for a Monday that I've come across. I'm going to apply for a job. The library is hidden in the back of an old church built in 1886. It is shadowed by the magnificent Collingwood Town Hall and the not so magnificent Collingwood train station. Set a little off the street the front garden is quite pretty and green. Inside is very renovated and basic. There is an OK selection of books, music and film, and being a part of Yarra libraries; you are able to get things in from numerous sources. Just make sure to fit in your visit some time in the afternoon.

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.

This library is part of Yarra Plenty Regional Library which means once you join you will have…read moreaccess to 8 libraries worth of cataloge! Yes, get excited! You will have access to all the free events the library likes to organize which is also an awesome reason to join up. Thomastown is a much smaller and quieter sister library to nearby Lalor, so if you want a bit of shhhh head on over. Thomastown also have a computer lab which means your more likely to get a turn on the public computers. The staff are great and happy to help you with any questions from where is the nearest bottle-shop to what is the meaning of quantum physics. Give this place a miss on weekends. For one, its only open for three hours on Saturday and secondly the car park and surrounding area will be buzzing with Saturday sport activities. Lots of parking and a location next to the new Thomastown Leisure Centre makes it a handy place to stop of to satisfy your library craving.

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.