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.

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!

Strathfield library at Homebush is a new architecturally designed building with glass windows and…read morehigh ceilings. Strathfield being an old suburb, I didn't expect the library to be modern. Clearly the council has recognised libraries being an important part of culture and have upgraded the place to the latest standards. The collection is quite extensive. They offer books, audiobooks (my favourite to take on long drives) movie dvd's, magazines, newspapers, and so much more. They offer books in other foreign languages too, to cater to the growing asian population in Sydney. Justice of Peace (JP) services are also offered in the library on wednesdays. The library offers various community incentives to use and take home. They provided a Car Accident Checksheet long back and more recently are offering a Home Power usage metre to borrow.

A bookworm could easily find a book or two to burrow into here. Space for studious students and…read morerooms for discussion groups, shelves full of books in all sizes. There is a great number of large print books and audiobooks. I love that new modern libraries have got on the technological band wagon and have ebooks and eAudiobooks and even emagazines. The staff are ready to help and train the non technologically minded. There are numerous leaflets on the resources available for the library. This library really extends itself within the community. Lane Cove Library delivers books, DVDs, audiobooks etc to people who are disabled, or frail and live in the area. There is not a problem in organising this service. The library is located in the middle of the village of Lane Cove. A short arcade of shops is alongside the library. So have a bite to eat before a relaxing time in the library. There is very easy access to people who have mobility issues. And....the library is quiet!

Huge library with lots of study desks basking in natural light around the perimeter. Find free two…read morehour public parking in the side street adjacent to the library. There is a secret garden behind, the historical society and a youth centre within the same building. The free unwired internet is great for laptop users. There is a Justice of the Peace service at Gordon Library, with JPs available on the first Tuesday of every month from 10am-1pm. They are also available in the library meeting room on alternate Thursdays from 11am-12pm.

Located on the Pacific Highway in Gordan, the library attracts many HSC students studying for their…read morefinal exams. Most of the time, every table and chair is taken. Unless you get there earlier in the morning you will have to wait for a desk to become available. While the library isn't the biggest in terms of space and amount of books, it's still pretty decent for a local library. A major plus is the free wireless internet. I would often bring my laptop to Gordan library while studying for my university exams. There are computers available if you forgot your laptop or don't have a computer and are free of charge- you just need to sign in when you get there. Book drop points are located outside the library which are open when the remainder of the library is closed. There is plenty of parking at the back of Gordan shops, otherwise the train station is close by.