Kogarah Library and Cultural centre just looks nice - it's a new building over two floors that…read morecaters for adults and children alike. They have a children's corner especially for the younger ones and designated computers for study time for students. A word of warning, around this time the HSC students are cramming through the doors - but good on them because this place offers some really good HSC workshops. Downstairs you can book out study rooms for groups and they're so high tech now that the rooms are even sound-proof. The fiction section is tucked away in the corner, but they have a big selection to choose from. You can always get them to order in from other libraries as well if they don't. Good thing about borrowing books is it's free to register (you need an adult to sign for children), and you can avoid late fines up to a limit of $20 before you're unable to borrow from them again (not that I encourage this). They also have an online catalogue you can check out before you head over to save you some time. Their renewal system works this way too, all you need to do is log on. They have a special room designated to find the history of the Kogarah area, right down to colonial times, which helps if you're trying to find relatives that far down the track. The staff here are pretty resourceful, the kind that don't make you feel like an idiot for asking them questions.

Rockdale library is a busy place, with people reading newspapers, borrowing books and using the…read morecomputers. Its quite open plan, so you can hear kid noise from wherever you are. There are about four tables where you could study, if they weren't taken up with people spreading newspapers out. There are no powerpoints nearby so not great for long term laptop use. There is an empty desk near the computers where the printer is, you may be able to plug in there. If you don't mind people bumping into you as they try and squeeze past to get at the other computers there. There is parking behind the Princes Highway on the east side, with a short cut through to the street and library. The library is in the Town Hall with toilets available in the foyer.

I called to ask about services offered at the library as I was looking for a meeting space to host…read morebusiness appointments. When Paula answered, I greeted her with my name and company name. She was very rude and short, stating "(company name). I know who you are. We are not interested." Then she hung up on me. I was perplexed because we are not a local company and have never done business with the library. I called back to clarify that I was not soliciting services, I wanted ask about services offered by the library. Paula again answered. I did not state my name or company and simply asked about meeting spaces and location of library. Her response and disposition was incredibly unprofessional and curt. I expected a better interaction from someone that represents the city's public library.

Hurstville library is the biggest in the St George area, and is by far the busiest. It is also a…read moremuseum and gallery, with art exhibitions both local and national. There's also local studies section, author talks are held and there is an abundance of kids and student activities on offer. While there are tables and chairs through the library, there is a dedicated quiet study room at the back of the library, with each deck having a handy power point for plugging in your laptop. You can usually find a seat with the exception of stuvac - the holidays leading up the HSC. There's two hour parking diagonally opposite the library but spaces are limited. At the back of the block there is also timed angle parking. If you are staying all day park a few streets away for free.

If you're looking for a light read or some last minute cramming and want to avoid that languorous…read moretrek to the city's State Library, Hurstville Library is definitely the place to go. Located just around the corner from Hurstville Westfield and train station, Hurstville Library is the biggest and best in its area offering a huge range of information and technology resources. Among its many features the library offers computer facilities, colour, black/white printing and photocopying (at a small price), a quiet study section, a not-so quiet study area perfect for group work and of course, free wi-fi connection for all you hard at work facebookers... And just to make sure that you're serious study sessions don't go awry, snack and drink vending machines and toilet amenities will ensure no study time is wasted around here. There's even a children's section for the little ones to give them a bit of a head start..or to keep them busy while you ponder among rows of Austen and Bronte classics. But just a heads up, steer clear circa October and November months if you want to avoid busy crowds of pre-HSC students claiming to 'study'..the only study you'll be doing is of the library's interior while you hopelessly search for a place to sit.

Tucked away behind the bank of shops on King Georges Road is South Hurstville library. Its quite…read moresmall with only four study desks, but during the day its usually quiet. There is two hour parking in the car park behind the library or unlimited parking in the surrounding streets. It's more easily accessible than neighbouring Hurstville library but due to its size resources are limited. If going for some peace and quiet check the website first, because there are morning classes/groups held there, including a Chinese friendship group where toddlers sing nursery rhymes, and English as a second language classes. But otherwise great community feel and ideal for people seeking these types of groups.

A two minute's walk from Bexley North station is the public library that I've gone to for years…read more Gone are the days where I used to have to study next to stressing HSC students, uni students that glare people down and primary school students that play video games on the library computers. Bexley North library has none of the above. It's such a small, quiet place that doesn't garner any attention that it's the perfect spot to get some serious study work done. Fiction-wise they don't have a fantastic selection as some public libraries seem to have, but they have enough to get you by if you want a quick read. Of course, the friendly staff at the front counter can also order in books if you request them. Don't expect flashy technology at this place - they have three or four (pretty old) computers that can just about Google. They have a tiny open space at the front if you'd prefer to read outside, and it's shaded nicely too. For some down time and peaceful reading, head over to this library. Bring the kids too, maybe they'll learn something.