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!

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.