...Otherwise known as West Torrens Library…read more A+ A fabulous and well-loved community hub. Free WiFi, toy rentals, language kits, a community bulletin board, a jp, a copy centre and a quiet study area... all within an attractive, bright building. Outstanding! Large collection of books (not to turn this into a pissing contest, but for context the Hamra Centre Library is far larger than any of the city libraries). The brand new books tend to be enticing. The website leaves a lot to be desired. Why snuggle up with a good book... when you can have so many new encounters?

Came here for the 'Taste of Indonesia' evening, and so glad that my friend booked me in…read more Apparently I should have booked earlier, and they managed to squeeze us in. It was held at the auditorium and there were hot finger food on offer. There were more than enough for a taste and the 'chef' had done a great job with spring roll and seafood fritters, and then the yummy well marinated chicken. Then there were Indonesian cakes! Wow the kueh dardar were great, they were still warm when placed on the table! They were gone in flat 2 seconds. There were a good selection of local cakes of sorts. Very well catered food wise. Well done. Now to the music, the angklung which originated from West Java made of bamboo generated a very beautiful unique sounds. They ladies who were immaculately dressed in sarong kebaya did a great job on the angklungs and they played a wide selection of music from Australian favourites to children rhymes to Indonesian national tune with a bit of Latin American thrown in. A lot of us swayed to the music n hummed n clapped, a lot of audience participation for sure. It was a fun evening for young n old. In between the brackets of music, Ibu Annie showed us different types of batik n she even brought her mother's fine embroided top. In another section, she showed us the hand cut leather puppets which were used for shadow puppet shows and a 3 dimensional puppet as well. She gave us a brief insight and history of puppet shows. Overall, it was a definitely well presented cultural introduction of Indonesia. The next scheduled cultural introduction will be on Africa, stay tuned as it will be sometime in September! Check on their website and keep an eye out for it! Don't forget to check out their free movie nights on offer, the next one is 'the book thief', if you haven't seen it, please go along to check it out, worth a couple of idle hours.

Went to this library to sign and scan a document and was rudely asked if I can read and if I can…read morespeak english, likely because of my demographics. This decorum does not befit a library that is supposed to represent South Australia.

Wonderfully located near public transit, that fabulous shopping center, and a decently-sized car…read morepark, the Unley library is well worth getting home late. The children's area is particularly well organized in a way that shows you that they know their audience. My little dude quickly found books from his favorite authors. The toys, the colors, the collections.... brilliant. There seems to always be something interesting happening and you'll probably see me there later during the upcoming Umbrella Festival.

I love libraries (probably because I love books. Der...) and I was stoked when I discovered Unley…read morewas my new local. It has a modern fit out and a lot to offer over two levels. One of the most popular services is the membership-based toy library. There are an array of games, learning toys, puzzles, role play, dress ups and larger items for inside and outside play. The library has a large children's area, half filled with rows of books while the other half is an open space and regularly hosts book readings and activities sessions for children under five. It's a lovely space to sit and read to your child or enjoy your own book while your child places with the large foam square and mushroom stools. In addition to the usual selection of books, the library offers 'Hot Reads' - the latest books available for 10 days instead of four weeks for those that can speed read and get it back on the shelves for the next person. You can't reserve these and it's pot luck if you find one. There is a large table offered both upstairs and downstairs which most people utilise to read the daily papers. I have also just discovered a quiet study room upstairs with booths conducive to working or writing a uni paper. The library offers wi-fi for personal laptops. Ask at the counter for the necessary form and you'll be given a login and password. There are also a bank of computers you can book for an hour at no charge. These are popular and usually need to be booked in advance which I think you can do online. Otherwise, you can call ahead and ask for one to be reserved.

A library set amongst leafy trees, greenery and creek. Spread a picnic rug with a favourite book in…read morehand and watch ducklings grace the gentle stream or eager four legged friends chase a ball or two. This library is close to my heart as it is well stocked with all the latest titles, host author appearances, school holiday activities, baby and toddler activities and many more community related events. The free Xbox 360 facilities is a favourite amongst kids here and I've always been impressed by their little surprises of coffee/tea and biscuits treat for library patrons. It's the little things that matter and makes you return for more. The staff and volunteers are absolutely friendly, full of smiles and always enjoy a chat with the regulars. You can truly feel a sense of community spirit here. If I may borrow dictum from Roald Dahl, which only seems appropriate as I review this venue. "And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

In terms of setting Mitcham library is up there with the best, and there is substantial parkland…read moreand trees that make it rather picturesque. Inside the selection of books and library resources are quite good with a vast collection of varying titles. There are also various initiatives such as computer lessons for adults, and reading activities for children on particular days of the week. The library is well organized and has a photocopier and a few computers, which I suggest you book if you require them for something urgent.

Findon Library occupies the corner of Findon Shopping Centre, and has recently had a cafe added to…read morethe front, which now shares some of its foyer. Like I needed more reason to love a library, there's now coffee close to hand. This library is surprisingly large. You don't see all of it until you round two corners from the entry foyer. There are about 10 computers, as well as a printing station, and two meeting rooms, one which is used for regular immunisations and for a Justice of the Peace three times a week (check the website for times). There is an open space for young children to play in, though not much for them to play with, except for books (which I suppose is the idea). In terms of their catalogue, this is a great library for general adult fiction, DVDs and non-fiction. The non-fiction area hides around the second corner, and is about a third of the entire collection. It covers a huge range of topics, and includes a lot of very picture focused, larger books for visual learners, as well as a large selection of books in Italian. Their DVD range is amusingly dated, and you can find very old TV series here that you don't often see in libraries. They also have quite a large range of audio books, which always pleases me. This is a great library for books and much more.

From the owner: Your Charles Sturt Library Service 'one card'... enables you…read moreto borrow 100 items per card, including 20 DVDs and 20CDs. -opens the door for you to access over 130 libraries and millions ofitems through your local library. -is the key to requesting up to 30 items. -allows you to renew your loan periods twice if the item isn't requested. This means you could borrow a 4 week book for up to 12 weeks. -sends you a reminder... an email or SMS will be sent to you 3 days before your items are due.

The City of Marion has three public library locations which are at the Cultural Centre, Hallett…read moreCove and Park Holme, I went to visit Park Holme. First impressions...bland from the outside - looks like a police station - and large on the inside, several internet PCs, checkout stations and low line book shelves. There's also a large decoupaged table which looks interesting and serves a purpose. But as with every library they offer more than what meets the eye, this particular branch services the local community via the mobile library runs, which is great for people young and old who cannot come to the library. This library also has a toy section available for borrowing and suitable for children up to the age of twelve. Currently they're doing a food for fines amnesty until the end of January 2012, which will be donated to charity. I noticed their reference collection is mixed in with the regular loan materials, at least that way it can be seen and utilised even if it's within the library only. The borrowing amounts are generous.

The Woodville library is part of the Charles Sturt Civic Centre, and well worth a visit. It is the…read morelargest of the region's several libraries, and has the nicest feel to it. There is a large, friendly children's section when you first walk in, and a nice, quiet computer section hidden around the corner. The main body of the library is filled with book shelves (as you might expect) and they hold a very different range to the others. There are hundreds of graphic novels here - a really impressive selection, as well as lots of non-fiction and Russian and Indonesian language books. Their standard fiction range is quiet small, and neatly classified into genres. Near the graphic novels is a large range of children's and teenage books. This would be a great place to study, as it's quiet and spacious and has several large tables for general use. There are plenty of computers here, quite a few more than at the other libraries, and some nice places to sit and read.

From the owner: Your Charles Sturt Library Service 'one card'... enables you…read moreto borrow 100 items per card, including 20 DVDs and 20CDs. -opens the door for you to access over 130 libraries and millions ofitems through your local library. -is the key to requesting up to 30 items. -allows you to renew your loan periods twice if the item isn't requested. This means you could borrow a 4 week book for up to 12 weeks. -sends you a reminder... an email or SMS will be sent to you 3 days before your items are due.

I love this place. Free wifi, free use of computers, free courses, art exhibitions, JP services and…read morethey have a whole heap of stuff you can borrow from them... for FREE!! They don't just have books - they also have magazines, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks - something for everyone. It's a great place to go to kill some time and has a place where you can fill up your drink bottle too. I especially love the service where you can reserve a book from any library in the state, they'll send it to your local and it's there waiting for you to pick it up. FOR FREE!!! Not your average library.

Gone are the days where libraries were like stepping into a black hole of silence and study…read more Today's libraries are all about community and activity and the City Library is a great example. For the parents, it's a great stop off for the kids. There's a good, open kids book section complete with mini kid-sized cushions for you to awkwardly try to sit on as you read to your kids. Need a bit of quiet time? Have no fear there's free wifi here too if you need to check those footy scores while the kids explore the rest of what the library has to offer. - but why let them have all the fun? In the Innovation Lab, there are 3D printers to check out, a 3Doodler (a pen that writes vertically...) to play with and not to mention, there are a few books there too. Centrally located, the new Adelaide City Library sits right at the heart of Adelaide City in the new Rundle Place complex, overlooking the hustle and bustle of Rundle Mall. The entrance to the City Library is tucked down a lane way (Francis Street) and up 6 flights of stairs (or Level 3 via the lift). You can also enter via the Rundle Place car park lifts where it's actually on Level 6. Quirky nuances but all part of the adventure... It has everything you'd expect from a modern library - plenty of computers, reading spaces, books, media and even a very nice outdoor reading area. But this library is more than a place to go find a good book, it's a community hub that's bursting with potential. The whole library has the feel of a flexible, modular space with a number of studios and labs available to be used by community groups for everything from computer game development to art exhibitions. As well as the studios, there are also a few specialised areas like the Innovation Lab with those cool 3D toys. The Digital Hub also has a suite of computers and the library offers regular free training from the basics like how to use an iPad to using social media for your business. For the history buffs, the History Hub serves as your go-to place for a look back in time. Finally, for the parents with small kids, there is a very clean Parents Room in the a Rundle Place food court. To get there, head out the 'back' entrance of the Library towards the carpark and head down the lifts to the lower ground level and follow the signs. Coles is also there if you forgot to bring snacks and the food court has a decent number of lunch options. Go check out what a community library in the city is all about.