Once upon a time, your library card was just for borrowing books. Now libraries have something for everyone, and your card works as a free pass to courses, audiobooks, events, resource kits and more. 

If you haven’t visited a library for a while, now’s the perfect time to swing by and check out what’s new. Here are some of the awesome things you might not know about.. 

Get listening

Tired of podcasts or want to mix it up on your commute? Access BorrowBox or Libby and have access to thousands of free eAudiobooks, thanks to your library card. 

eBooks straight to your device

If you love reading on the go, your library card gives you free access to a huge range of eBooks straight to your personal device via Libby or BorrowBox. You can also access publications like The Guardian Weekly, Vogue, Gourmet Traveller and more. If you’re off on a holiday, you can access Lonely Planet’s travel guides too! 

Reserve now, pick up later 

Did you know about our Click and Collect service? By using the Library app, you can reserve bestsellers or an item located in another library, and our team will let you know when it’s ready for you to collect at your library location of choice. Most of our libraries are open on weekends, and some outside of office hours, making it easier to collect your items. 

Learn another language 

Parlez-vous français? You can thanks to access to Transparent Language Online where you can learn over 100 languages. 

Discover your family history 

Want to learn more about your family tree? Get free access to local family history resources when you visit your local library or book an appointment with our experienced volunteers to help guide you. 

You can also research the local history of the Northern Beaches with access to thousands of historical photographs, videos, oral histories and more on History Hub. 

Join a book chat 

Meet new people and talk about your latest reads or join the Sci-Fi Book Chat to meet other like-minded science fiction reads. Or if Fantasy novels are more your thing, join the waitlist for a new book chat. 

Pick up a Book Club Kit

If you and your mates are already in a book club, you might benefit from our Book Club Kits. Each kit has 10 copies of the same title and conversation starters to get your club chatting. Register your club for an annual fee of $65 and borrow as many kits as you like throughout the year. 

Entertainment for the whole family

For little ones there are weekly Baby Bounce and Rhyme Time sessions to help with their early literary in a fun engaging environment. Borrow toys through a low cost and environmentally friendly Toy Library Service. Cubby House Toy Library is available on Thursdays at 10.30-11am during school terms at Manly and Mona Vale Libraries (membership fees apply).  

For primary school aged children, there are STEM kits to inspire a love of science and Crafternoons to unleash their artistic side. For high school students, there are writing and scriptwriting competitions, youth book chats and study help. 

Want something new? Suggest it!

If there’s a book you have your eye on that our library doesn’t have, you can suggest it and we’ll consider adding it to our collection. 

Meeting rooms for hire

Need space for a meeting or workshop? We have rooms you can book – many have presentation and tech facilities too! 

Justice of the Peace services 

If you have a document that you need witnessed or certified, many of our libraries have Justice of the Peace services on-site to help signing important paperwork. See the calendar on when appointments are available. 

Career and resume help

If you’re on the job hunt, you can submit your CV or cover letter to Studiosity and in less than 24 hours a writing specialist will give you detailed feedback on how you can improve it. 

These are just some of the perks you get with Library membership – there’s so much more to explore. Join the Library today.