About the Library
Information about the Library
The City of Sydney Library Network is a service managed and funded by the City of Sydney (local government).
The Library has branches located throughout the city at Circular Quay, Glebe, Haymarket, Kings Cross, Newtown, Town Hall, Ultimo and Waterloo. Surry Hills Library closed on 30 September 2006 for redevelopment.
Library Highlights
- More than 480,000 items available for loan to library members, including books, talking books, magazines, music scores, CDs and DVDs
- A collection of reference items as well as free information services for the community
- Local and international newspapers
- A wide range of quality online databases
- Internet and computer access
- Fax & photocopy services
- Children's toy library, storytime, a readers' club and children's events and activities
- Language collections for people from culturally diverse backgrounds, including Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese and more
- A Koori Collection on Australian Aboriginal related subjects such as politics, land rights, sport and the history of the arrival of the first Europeans.
- The largest Chinese language collection in Australia as well as a Chinese satellite TV service broadcasting five channels from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
- A free Home Library Service for city residents who are aged, incapacitated, ill or convalescing.
Interesting Library Statistics
- No. active library members: 40,070 (2004)
- No. library visitors per year: 2,509,271 (2004)
- No. library loans per year: 1, 366, 589 (2006)
- No. library enquiries: 275,000 (2004)
- No. library staff: 78.51 full-time equivalent (2005)
- More Library statistics...
History of the Library
Major milestones in the history of the City of Sydney Library.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the library automation system?
- What is the legislative framework for the library?
- Who are the Library's client groups?
- The Library Network Strategy provides detailed information
E-Journals on Libraries
APLIS (1990+ full-text / Members only)
Articles and other items on public libraries and other publicly accessible informations services in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Library Journal (1976+ full-text / Members only)
Magazine tailored to the information needs of librarians and managers in public, academic and corporate libraries.
Last Updated: Thursday 11 May, 2006
