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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

I strongly believe the Maribyrnong Library is the best because they have enjoyable books and nice…read morestories. It's also quiet and it's really nice and has all kinds of books . Lastly the staff are really wonderful because they have good service and they help you when you need help. You should definitely visit Maribyrnong Library. Written by FI - aged 8

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.

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.

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.