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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!