The big blue monolith that is the Brunswick library, shares it site with the Brunswick Town Hall…read more The library is actually set in the old Town Hall theatre. Once you walk off the street you are met with an art deco foyer that makes you think you might see a film that still has an intermission. The foyer has some toilets that run off it that are spacious and in serious need of renovation - especially to the stink. The interior of the library is spacious. The shelves of books run in loops and lines in the theatre space. Unfortunately the stage isn't used for anything - they should definitely incorporate it, so to with the balcony that runs around the wall, at the moment it's just wasted space. There is a ok selection of books, music and film here. Only a few computers for Internet use - but yes it's still free, and the staff are super friendly. When I started asking about the actual site, they seemed to get excited and 1 went off and printed off a few pages of information for me. I was informed of an upcoming renovation and the large cracks in the walls were pointed out to me. I really hope they incorporate the stage.

The Brunswick Library is among the spacious and well loved of public libraries in the inner…read morenorthern suburbs. Housed in the old theatre of Brunswick Town Hall, it's got a relatively decent range of books, films and CDs in its collection that are free for anyone who wants to join up to borrow. The loan period errs on the short side for books, and there's a system of late fees for those tardy with returns. Anything out on loan can be booked for the whopping fee of $1.00, and will be held for you for a couple of days. The computers operate under a booking system, and they can be quite strict about this process so as to allow people without access to computers at home or at work to hook into the cyber age. There seems to be a good sized collection of foreign language books etc. to cater for Brunswick's famously multicultural (and multi-linguistic) community. There's also a bafflingly large collection of large print books for anyone who likes reading giant text. Readings and performances aimed at engaging with children's literacy are also held fairly regularly. The online catalogue can be confusing at times, with more specific search terms such as authors and titles often not churning out the desired results despite being present in their collection. Nonetheless, it's easy enough to work out a system around this, such as asking a librarian to do it for you. I find that usually gets you what you were looking for. But like any small library, it has its limitations, and finding more obscure books can be a bit hit and miss.

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's a lovely please for the kids and toddlers with so many books and toys to choose from and a…read morefriendly staff. I just wish they would pay more attention to the dirty carpet and stuffed toys and have them washed or replaced regularly.

Sorry, but I love it here. They have just about everything or they can get you everything. And I…read moremean everything. Who cares the building is sort of worn down, right? And that it's packed most of the time. But I liked the spring morning ground floor view of the golden wattle in bloom. And for this I can forgive a lot! :) Oh, but what sucks is their policy for accessing journals.

I would say that this library is great whether you're a Melbourne Uni student or not. I believe…read moreit's recently renovated (I do recall about a year ago walking by this library and it was always closed off due to construction). Atmosphere: The place is relatively clean and very spacious. Also, as most libraries are, they are decently quiet so you can get decent peaceful studying in. Unfortunately, I warn you about the 1st and 2nd floor bathrooms. For some reason they smell horrible - every time I have to go to the restroom I always end up gagging. Utilities: ~ They have plenty of computers available for use. I do recommend booking ahead though. During a busy period, if you do not book a computer, you would get kicked off it if a student who has booked it comes by. ~ Plenty of learning centers as well which are private rooms. Study groups rejoice! ~ They have quite a few printers, but unfortunately not many scanners or copy machines. Sometimes you can get lucky, but at other times all the computers that are attached to scanners will be taken and you need to prepare to wait. I do believe that you need a Melbourne Uni Student Card to print because you load up money onto it. Staff: The staff are friendly and try their best, but some of them are clueless - especially just the volunteers who aren't actual librarians. I asked this woman if there was a stapler and she made a 20 minute dash around the library trying to procure one. I felt bad sending her on this massive quest so I can staple a few papers together. --- Overall, you can't really fault this library. It isn't jaw-droppingly amazing. But it does its job and it does it well.

This will be a very controversial review…read more But I absolutely despise University of Melbourne. BIOLOGY COURSE: I almost feel insulted by how Melbourne Uni treats me as if I'm a little kid. Honestly, attending Melbourne Uni reminds of high school. No wait.. worse. Middle School. They literally hold your hand and bottlefeed you the answers. Let's take a look at the lab system. There are 2 major important parts of having labs in Biology: 1) For students to have a hands on practical experience outside of a textbook. Melbourne Uni does this fine - the lab facilities look great as well and truth be told I was really excited. I get a female boner from seeing a great looking lab. 2) TO LEARN TO WRITE LAB REPORTS. The purpose of a lab report is to get students to learn how to write one - meaning a highly detailed paper on what you did during the lab, how it impacts the hypothesis and/or theory of what you are doing, everything. Truth be told every science student will tell you that writing lab reports are a pain in the ass, but it's important. Real-life lab reports go into huge detail so anyone with the materials will be able to replicate the lab and produce the same results. How do Melbourne Uni labs work? They print out all pre-written lab reports and all the students have to do is fill in the blanks - like a 5th grade science work sheet. "Fill in your results everyone that you got from this lab!" How the hell does this prepare any students for REAL LIFE lab reports at all? WEBSITE SETUP: For a "world-class" university, Melbourne Uni's website is really a steaming pile of horse shit. Their portal system is in dire need of cleaning up and it often goes down as well. Prepare to have to call their student service help line if you need to get anything done! This happened to me twice. CLASSES: What a god-awful system of picking your classes and timetable. At my home university as well as all the other universities my friends have attended under the UC System, it is RARE that someone has a timetable clash. At Melbourne University, you're in fucking LUCK if at first try, there is no clash. I actually had to pick classes that I did not want to avoid clashes. STUDENTS: Granted, this is a blanket statement. I recognise that a lot of Melbourne Uni students are very nice and alright, but my god does the ego go to a lot of people's heads for attending "the best university in Australia". What a fucking feat! BEST UNIVERSITY IN AUSTRALIA GUYS HURR DURR. But honestly, I've met a LOT of students where their ego is overly inflated. You go to MIT? Okay, you are actually tough shit. You go to Melbourne Uni? You're a privileged kid who did alright in high school and was able to afford it. The amount of pretentious air I've heard laced onto "I go to Melbbbbourrne Unniiii" is absolutely incredible. Especially the science students - where their science courses are not difficult and the equivalent of 5th grade worksheets. To be fair to Melbourne Uni, the architecture is cool and its also in a convenient location right next to the CBD, but I didn't feel like I learned anything there. Going into STEM is supposed to keep you up late at night pulling your hair out and studying regardless of whether or not you have a social life to balance it out. Going into STEM in Melbourne Uni feels like a walk in the park. If you want an easy degree from "the best uni in Australia", go for it. If you want a challenge and actually learn shit, I recommend leaving the country.

There's a plaque on one of the older buildings at University stating: "On this site, on 21st April…read more1856, workers on this site downed tools and marched to parliament, marking the start of the eight hour movement" Something along those lines, anyway. I forget the exact wording. And that, to me, is Melbourne University in a nutshell. They're a venerable institution, with a long history and a beautiful campus. They also don't quite get it. They don't get that being on the wrong end of the eight hour movement isn't exactly something to be proud of. They're ensconced in privilege and, nowadays, in visions of profit as well. They've been doing thinks like using their position to try and subvert the ability of students to finish their studies under the partially subsidised HECS system, and there's few amenities available on the campus which aren't owned by large corporations. Still, a degree from Melbourne Uni is probably worth more than most other places in Australia, and they do have some amazing academics on staff.