Free and online
Access Online
Here is what you can borrow from/access online FREE through your local library.
Choose:
Audiobooks
eBooks
Journal Articles
Magazines
Music Streaming
Newspapers
Online Learning
Video Streaming
Audiobooks (also known as eAudiobooks) – download and listen to your books, for free from your library. A wide range of titles and authors are available to suit a wide... View more info
eBooks – you don’t need to pay for ebooks online, when you can get them free from your local library. Accessible via app on your mobile device, or on computer... View more info
Journal Articles – Access millions of journal articles, for free. For your study or your personal interest, these articles cover a wide range of disciplines and come from reputable publishers. View more info
Magazines – Access digital magazines, with a wide range available for a variety of interests, including both popular and specialist titles, free with your library card. View more info
Music Streaming – Stream a wide range of music suiting all ages and all musical tastes. Free with your library card. View more info
Newspapers – Access digital copies of state, national and international newspapers, online for free, with your library card. View more info
Online Courses – Learn new skills, including business, technology and internet, craft, health and wellbeing and more. All free with your library card. View more info
Video Streaming – access free streaming of documentaries, TV shows and a variety of films, all free with your library card. View more info
Borrow
Items/things that can be borrowed for free from your local public library with your free library membership.
Choose:
Audiobooks
Audio (Vinyl, CDs, etc)
Book Club Sets
Books
DVDs
Home Library Service
Large Print
Magazines
More than Books & Stories
AV, Digital Media & Entertainment
Baking
Cameras & Podcasting
Computers & Digital Access
Cooking
Craft
Games & Toys
Gardening Tools
Hardware & Power Tools
Health & Wellbeing
Household
Outdoor Activities
Science & Electronics
Sustainability & Environment
Audiobooks – For those who prefer to listen to theirs books, libraries have a wide range of audiobooks on CD and MP3. Free to borrow with your library membership. If... View more info
Audio – Libraries have a range of music CDs for borrowing, with select libraries also holding collections of vinyl records for loan. Free with your library card. View more info
Book Clubs Sets – Many libraries offer book club sets – multiple copies of the same title, often with discussion notes, for use by home-based book clubs. Contact your library... View more info
Books – Books are still a core offering of libraries. Books for all ages, covering a wide range of interests, whether for relaxation or for information, from bestsellers to classics.... View more info
DVDs – TV shows, movies, documentaries. Libraries have DVD titles to suit wide interests and all ages. All free to borrow with your library card. View more info
Home library – Library items delivered free to the homes or facilities of house bound residents. Items are selected to suit the tastes of the recipient. View more info
Large Print – For those with vision impairment, libraries have a wide range of titles in larger size print, for more comfortable reading. Available to borrow for free with your... View more info
Magazines – Libraries offer a wide range of popular magazines titles to suit most interests and age ranges. Newspapers are available to read in the library only. View more info
Old technology is hard to access these days. However, if you want to play your old DVDs, CDs or LPs you can borrow a DVD, Blu Ray, CD or record... View more info
Making food preparation easier and more fun with free baking tools from the library. No free baked goods though. Create your perfect loaf of bread with a break maker. Borrow... View more info
Want to take action shots whilst you are enjoying your favourite activities – try a borrowable Go Pro camera. Have something to say but don’t know how to get it... View more info
Going on a trip and need something to read with, or want to try out ebooks? An eReader is ideal. Need a device for a short term project – laptops... View more info
Want to try the new energy efficient cooking options? Borrow an induction cooktop or an air fryer. Want less processed foods – make your own pasta, pizza or ice cream... View more info
Designing your own cards and invitations, creating your own gifts, or working on small craft projects? A borrowable Circut, glue gun or engraver can help? You can borrow these devices to... View more info
Toys – Some public libraries incorporate a local toy library, enabling you to borrow toys for your children on a regular basis. They can play at home with the borrowed... View more info
Need a specific tool to keep your garden in good condition? Help can be found at the library. Borrow a lawnmower, garden vaccuum, blower, garden tools or pruners to help... View more info
Carpentry and woodcraft can utilise a range of tools. Building a cupboard or a bookcase? Doing some minor home renovation? Access to an angle grinder, power saw, laser measure and... View more info
Have a condition that requires short term checks? Borrow a blood pressure monitor. Have a family member with dementia or Alzheimers? A memory kit can help retain those precious experiences.... View more info
Clean and rejuvenate your carpets with a carpet cleaner or remove those stains with a spot cleaner borrowed from the library. Clean up your office of all that excess paper... View more info
Need to fix your bike, borrow a bike repair kit. Looking for hidden gold or a lost treasure, borrow a metal detector. Going camping and need some extra gear –... View more info
Need to explore something at a very detailed level? Borrow a microscope from a library. Want to explore what the future will look like – borrow a robot and learn... View more info
Grow your own vegetables or flowers using free seeds from the library. Check the efficiency of your home and appliances using energy saver kits, which include Powermates and other tools.... View more info
Community Languages
Many libraries have books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, bilingual children’s books, and other materials in community languages.
Choose:
Arabic
Bengali
Bosnian
Chinese
Croatian
Farsi/Persian
French
German
Greek
Gujarati
Hindi
Italian
Japanese
Khmer
Korean
Macedonian
Maltese
Nepali
Polish
Punjabi
Russian
Serbian
Sinhalese
Somali
Spanish
Tamil
Telugu
Turkish
Urdu
Vietnamese
Arabic – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Arabic and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Bengali – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Bengali and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Bosnian – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Bosnian and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Chinese – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Chinese and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Croatian – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Croatian and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Farsi/Persian/Dari – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Farsi/Persian/Dari and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
French – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in French and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
German – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in German and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Greek – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Greek and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Gujarati – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Gujarati and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Hindi – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Hindi and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Italian – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Italian and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Japanese – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Japanese and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Khmer – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Khmer and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Korean – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Korean and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Macedonian – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Macedonian and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Maltese – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Maltese and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Nepali – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Nepali and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Polish – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Polish and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Punjabi – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Punjabi and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Russian – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Russian and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Serbian – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Serbian and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Sinhalese – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Sinhalese and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Somali – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Somali and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Spanish – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Spanish and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Tamil – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Tamil and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Telugu – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Telugu and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Turkish – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Turkish and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Urdu – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Urdu and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
Vietnamese – Select Libraries offer the loan of items in Vietnamese and may include books, magazines and DVDs. View more info
In Our Libraries
Services and things to do at your local library.
Choose:
Author Events
Convert Old Audio and Video
Document Certification
English Learning Support
Family/Local History
Gaming
Jobs Assistance
Kids Activities
Neurodiverse Sessions
Newspapers
PCs and WiFi
Printing & Scanning
Social Groups
Talks and Workshops
Tech Help and Learning
Writers' Events
Makerspace
3D Printers
Cricuts
Heat Presses
Laser Engravers
Sewing Machines & Overlockers
Virtual Reality
Do you want to convert your old audio and video recordings? Give your old slides, 8mm film, VHS videos tapes and audio cassettes a new life with our free in-house... View more info
Document – Libraries have regular visits from Justices of the Peace and other individuals who are able to certify documents. Contact your library for details. View more info
Lessons – Libraries offer a wide range of resources to assist new English speakers. From online training to easy reading books, from conversations classes to Citizenship classes. Contact your library... View more info
Family History – Discover your local history or get help with family history (including access to online genealogical resources), just ask at your local library. View more info
Libraries offer a range of in-house gaming options, from consoles to board games, free play to tournaments. Contact your local library for details. View more info
Jobs – Libraries support job seekers with internet access, books and often events on job seeking. Get help from library staff on applying online. Check with your library on how... View more info
Activities – Libraries offer a wide range of activities for kids of all ages – from storytimes to Lego clubs, there is something for all ages. Check with your library... View more info
Neurodiverse sessions – these libraries offer Neurodiverse sessions, including scheduled Quiet Times. Please contact the library for details. View more info
Local, state and community newspapers (such as The Age, The Herald Sun, The Bendigo Advertiser, The Geelong Advertiser, etc.) are available for you to read in comfort and free at... View more info
Wifi – Libraries provide free WiFi access and have local PCs with internet access, Microsoft Office and other software packages, available for public use. Check with your library for details. View more info
Printing – Libraries provide facilities for printing from computers/WiFi and for photocopying and scanning. A small charge may be payable for each print/copy. View more info
Talks and Workshops – Libraries offer a wide range of events for their communities, covering topics including gardening, cooking, craft, health and wellbeing and technology. Check your library for details... View more info
Tech Help and Learning – get assistance with your devices and online services, or learn a range of skills in using your device or using the internet. View more info
Writing Workshops – Libraries support writers as well as readers with a variety of workshops, events and competition. Contact your library for details. View more info
Need a small replacement part, want to create novelty items, custom tools or kitchen tools? Want to create some custom figurines, game pieces, scale models or prototypes? A 3D printer... View more info
The Cricut is available at libraries for your crafting needs. Cut material, paper, vinyl and leather; engrave, stencil and sketch cards, perforate paper, create invitations and so and more. Access... View more info
Have you ever wanted to make your own custom clothing? Apply transfers to t-shirts, add logos or reflective strips to clothing and customise accessories and/or clothing with free access to... View more info
If you have engraving or etching work, bring it the library to use their free tools. You can personalise, add logos, create custom items, brand packaging and awards and more.... View more info
Do you need to repair clothes or make clothes, attach buttons, alter or hem your pants? No need to pay a tailor or buy a expensive sewing machines for small... View more info
Enjoy virtual travel or play 3D games with a virtual reality headset. Play for fun, for curiosity or for information, it’s up to you. No need to worry about crashing... View more info
Rooms and Spaces
Public libraries have a variety of rooms and spaces for use.
Choose:
AV Viewing Rooms
Cafe & other food services
Dedicated Youth Space
Extended Access Hours (unstaffed)
Meeting Rooms
Outdoor Area
Prayer & Worship Spaces
Quiet Study Spaces
Reading Lounge
Recording / Design Studio
Self Service Book Lockers
AV Viewing – Need somewhere to watch a DVD or an online film? These libraries have facilities available for this purpose. View more info
Cafe – If you are looking for a cuppa or a bite to eat whilst visiting the library, check out these libraries which have a cafe/food service on site. View more info
Youth Space – A space that teens can call their own, with access to dedicated youth collections and other resources. View more info
Meeting Rooms – Many libraries have meeting rooms available for hire at a reasonable cost. Facilities vary, so check with your library for details. View more info
Outdoor Area – These libraries have outdoor spaces for reading and other activities. Contact the library service for details. View more info
Prayer & Worship – These libraries have dedicated spaces allocated for prayer and worship. Some are seasonal – e.g. Ramadan. Check with your library for details. View more info
Study – The need for study space is ever growing and libraries are accommodating this with specially allocated quiet study spaces. Check with your library for details. View more info
Reading Lounge – Relax and enjoy a good book in this dedicated reading space available at selected libraries. View more info
Studio – Looking for a studio for recording or design? Select libraries offer such spaces for a nominal charge. Check with your library for details. View more info
Lockers – Facilities for library members to collect library items at locations remote to library branches, or adjacent to library spaces with limited opening hours. View more info
Storytimes
Public Libraries offer free and accessible early years programs to support parents in their role as their child’s first teacher and develop emerging literacy skills in little ones.
Choose:
For 0-1 year olds
For 1-2 year olds
For 3-5 year olds
Auslan Storytime
Bilingual/multilingual Storytime
First Nations Storytime
Rainbow Storytime
Sensitive Storytime
Babies – Programs to help literacy development of babies. View more info
Toddlers – Programs to help progress the literacy of toddlers. View more info
Pre-school – Programs aimed at pre-schoolers to help them further develop their literacy skills and get ready for school. View more info
Auslan – These Victorian public libraries run storytimes which include Auslan. Contact the library for details of sessions. View more info
Bilingual Storytimes – these library services offer bilingual storytimes in differing languages. Check with the library for languages and sessions. View more info
First Nations – These libraries offer storytimes for First Nations peoples. Please contact the library for session details. View more info
Rainbow Storytime – these sessions welcome rainbow families and present stories that are welcoming to LGBQTIA+ families. View more info
Sensitive Storytime – is for young children who have sensory sensitivities and those on the autism spectrum, or those who simply prefer a quieter time. Contact the library service for... View more info