I have a strange, or maybe not so strange, perhaps you can help me with this. I have a tendency to…read morewant to own a book that I read. To keep it on my shelf once I've read it as a trophy of my fierce encounter with those literary pages so thoroughly steeped in ink. Every now and again I'll read a book think 'trash' and palm it off to a friend or relative for them to do with it what they will, but most of the time I like the collection on my bookshelf to read like a list of knowledge that I have sucked from the pages and sewn into my brain. The severed heads of the books I have read on the pinewood shelves as a warning to all books that enter my house. I will read you! With that said, I have from time to time utilised the library situated just up the road in the Italian Forum; for books, magazines and for CD's. While they don't have a gigantic range, I have not failed to find a book that I was after. I put that to good purchasing on the libraries part, but also to savvy book finding skills on my part. Fiction, fact, musical CD's all catalogued as you would expect from a library, and that said, can we assume that it is rare for a library to break the mould and wreak of independent thought and renegade cataloguing? Yes it is rare, and not apparent here. It's a library, it lends books and it provides work space for people to do research and learn. There are author talks and book clubs and even a space that showcases local art. I'm going to give it a four because it is a good library albeit not a very original one.

Love this library - they have a great selection of books, especially nonfiction. The library is…read moremuch bigger than it looks - you could spend hours in there!

They have clean toilets. Lockers. Free wifi. Comfy couches and sitting nooks with plug areas for…read morelaptops and all your other gadgets. And they have books. Granted, it's a library that doesn't stock Terry Prachett (or maybe there wasn't any on the shelves, let's go with that shall we instead of my poor broken heart!) - and a library without Terry Prachett, to be honest, is no library to me. On the plus side, they have a huge area for children's books and entertainment. On the other side of the library is a place for adults. It's hushed tones and book peace was soul soothing. The way the adult area is set out is that they have the shelves with books in a U shape with the tables in the centre with power points and couches around the outside with small tables. Half of the U is dedicated to Fiction. The other half to Biology, Travel, Self Help, etc. The difference in this library is that they don't have different areas for different genres of books. And to be honest, I was expecting more books than what was on the shelf. Instead they have a fiction area that runs from A-Z and then they have wee stickers on the bottom of the spines of books to let you know if it's fantasy (dragon), romance (love heart), hot romance (love heart with horns), comedy (smiley face), family (family of 4 sticker), crime (Sherlock Holmes style hat and magnifier), horror (horror written in blood dripping writing) and more. And they don't mind you grabbing a book and kicking your shoes off to snuggle up in a couch to read a book you never thought you'd read in your life.

They have a good selection of books, magazines, CDs and DVDs, and they can get books that are not…read morecurrently available at West Ryde from the other Ryde libraries for you if you reserve them online. You can also extend your loans online, provided there are no reservations for the item. There are plenty of desks with power points and LAN outlets to allow you to plug in your laptop and do your work. There is also free wifi available but there is a limit of 500mb and I've found the speed to be slow, slower than my 4g connection on my mobile. There is a section for kids on one side of the library. They also have a volunteer JP service, not too sure of the date though, but this information can be easily found on their website. Patrons here are generally quiet though some talk on their phone.

Gladesville Library is one of the "satellite" libraries of the Ryde Library Service and it is a…read moregreat and convenient library adjacent to the Gladesville Victoria Road commercial strip. Staff are always helpful, borrowing is breeze with an automated machine and there is always a good range of books and research materials as well as computers, magazines and a decent children's section. But best of all are the online services this library network offers. Firstly, you can log from home (or anywhere) and search the catalog and order any book in the collection and have is delivered to one of the satellite libraries for free. You will go in a queue if it's a popular book. Extending the loan can also be done on-line. Secondly, the library offers Zinio (a world-wide service) where you can download the latest editions of popular Australia and and International magazines on to you iPad, computer or e-book reader and it's free! Will never have to buy Australian Gourmet again! Thirdly is the e-book collection that can also be downloaded on iPads, etc using the Overdrive app on your iPad. Although it's one of the smaller of the Ryde libraries it is a true local gem for bookworms!

On a historical wander around Parramatta, I thought I'd better do the dutiful thing, and check this…read moreout. Was surprised to find one of the best local history exhibitions I'd ever trod my weary way in to. In through the glass doors and I was met by a cheery smile from the gentleman staffing the Visitor Info counter and by a welcome blast of arctic-level aircon. Twas rather warm. Past the old (mail?) cart and a giant photo of Lennox Bridge (just outside) in times previous, down a somewhat underlit corridor and I found myself in the 'Parramatta People and Place' exhibition. With an emphasis on migrant contribution and a larger than usual recognition of Indigenous history (although it never really feels enough), the exhibit presents a wonderful collation of poignant objects and info spanning the history of the city. There's a lace christening gown made by convict women at Darlinghurst jail, who were later housed in the infamous Parramatta Female Factory. Leather shoes found in an archaeological dig. An artwork reconising the work of the nine Swann sisters - you don't see CV's like 'wife, mother, dentist, activist for international peace' often enough. There's a haunting poem by Oodgeroo Noonuccal honouring the Darug people, and the photo of Samuel Marsden, the notorious 'flogging preacher' which shows he had a drunkard's nose. The exhibition's free, there's a lovely spot to sit overlooking the river while the kids play on a big pirate ship, and a moving exhibition upstairs about the Chinese community's part in local history next to the Local Studies and Family History Library. A real treasure.

I had to write a piece on an historical site and decided to write about the Female Factory at…read moreParramatta - an unused site (except for parts that are now Cumberland Hospital) that used to be a gaol in colonial times. A friend and I went to the actual site to see what it was like for ourselves, took a few photos etc, but because it was unused there was no information we could have gotten other than from our own observations. Luckily, Parramatta Heritage Centre is like a miniature museum cum historical library with all the information I could possibly need for this paper. They also have exhibitions on site, and a permanent one called Parramatta: People and Place which is all about the Burramatta Aboriginal people and European settlement of the area. The information centre upstairs is volunteer run, and I have to say they are amazing people - I don't think people realise how much of a good job they do here. The man I spoke to was a great storyteller, providing me with a verbal account of what he knew of the Female Factory and pointing me towards some great sources. It's a great opportunity to find out more about the area, meet tons of interesting people, or like me, research and write up a decent essay.

This central library is very popular within the community. It is located in an excellent position…read moreat the Top Ryde Shopping Centre. There are a huge range of good quality books, in paper form or for the technology whiz through Ebooks . The staff run courses on how to use Ebooks and how to sign onto the services. There are large print books and many Talking Books...which I love during travelling. I drive my friends crazy with putting on the latest Mills and Boons talking book on. There are numerous DVDs for hire and a good selection of CDs. Come here during the day or later in the evening. Avoid this place straight after school as the local school's students come here in droves instead of going home. The library is over run by young students from 3.15pm until about 5pm. There are withdrawal rooms for group meetings or for a study group. This is an excellent library but pick your time to visit. There is also wheelchair / pram access via the lift.

Ryde Library recently opened in Top Ryde Shopping centre. I love being a member of Ryde libraries…read more Each branch has town merits. Eastwood is located just outside the train station, Gladesville is easily accessible from Victoria Road, and Ryde is conveniently located inside the shopping centre. You can borrow books from any of the 5 libraries and return it to another branch easily. Because the council boasts of 5 different libraries, the collection of books is pretty good and the waiting periods for popular books is short. Top Ryde Library is the newest library and it is definitely contemporary in style and design. Clean, open spaces with comfortable couches and lounges to browse through books or magazines, makes this library my favourite. Membership is free and you can borrow unto 25 items for 3 weeks. Although DVD's magazines and Fast Reads can be borrowed for a week only. Their self-service check-out counter makes borrowing items easy and quick. The JP service is available on Mondays 10 am - 12pm and Wednesdays 10am - 12pm.

Free wi-fi, couple quite study rooms. You can come and study or read in there as well. Have space…read morefor kids to play too.

Walked by this building several times without knowing it was the state library. Impressed with the…read morediverse the collection. Part, museum, and multiple changing galleries. They also have a modern wing. Welcoming atmosphere, at the historical building with a warm hearty greeting. Close to the Royal botanic Gardens,

Quality/Quantity - Well if you are following, we visit all…read morethe local libraries during our travels. Great place to take a break. It is clean, has AC, bathrooms, wifi, etc. Atmosphere - Open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. The lobby hours differ, see picture. 5 stories, 6 if you count the lobby, see picture of directory. Cool lobby decor, especially the glass floors of Sydney Harbor. Some history and art are also in the lobby. Plenty of comfortable seating throughout. Cool garden, exhibit, etc. A cafe on the 5th floor, but I think it was closed today. Not sure what time we arrived. I'm told they used to have a bar here. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - Thank you for such a good public service.