Books and Reading
All things books and reading
At the City Libraries you can enjoy our collection of over 65,000 items, more than 310,000 digital resources, plus millions more as part of the One Card Network. There are endless opportunities to find your next great read and share your love of reading or learning with like-minded people.
Library Collections
There are many ways to enjoy our extensive collection of books, DVDs, magazines, graphic novels and more. We can also help you to find something new to read by asking our friendly staff, exploring new books on our catalogue, discovering special collections, or seeing our curated staff reviews on Bookmarked.
We have a range of special collections available to browse on your next visit:
Awards
This is a collection of a selection of titles which have won or been nominated for major literary awards including the Man Booker prize, the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Nobel Prize in Literature. See what can be found in each of our library centres from the list below:
- City Library (Adult): International Dublin Literary Award, Nobel Prize in Literature, ABIA Book Award (Book of the Year, General Fiction, and General Non-Fiction), and the Indigenous Writer's Prize
City Library (Children and Youth): CBCA Early Childhood, CBCA Picture Book, CBCA Younger, CBCA Older, Wilderness Society's Nature Book Week Award, Environment Award for Children's Literature (Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Picture Fiction) and the Carnegie Medal - Hutt Street Library (Adult): Stella prize, Dylan Thomas Prize, Indie Book Awards (Book of the Year, Fiction, Debut Fiction, and Non-Fiction), Miles Franklin, and CWA Dagger Awards (Gold Dagger, Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, and Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction)
- North Adelaide Library (Adult): Booker Prize, Ned Kelly Award (Best True Crime, Best Crime Fiction, and Best International Crime Fiction), and the South Australian Literary Awards (Premier's Award, Fiction Award, Non-Fiction Award, and Unpublished SA Manuscript)
North Adelaide Library (Children and Youth): Newbery Medal and the South Australian Literary Awards (Children's Award and the Young Adult Award)
Aboriginal Cultures
This collection was developed in response to consultation with Kaurna community representatives to highlight and celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal people. We have a variety of fiction and non-fiction works for all ages created by Aboriginal Australians, or that reflect Aboriginal Australians' history and culture.
Classics
Sometimes the best place to start is with the best-loved classics. Visit any of our libraries to see our collection of children’s, teen and adult classic novels.
Short Reads
Browse our collection of short-format books at City Library for those who want a more straightforward reading experience.
Community Languages
City Libraries offer material for loan in the following languages:
- Chinese
- French
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Vietnamese
These items are located at City Library but can be placed on hold to collect from any library.
Find out more about other languages available across the One Card Network to read material in your own language.
Through the One Card network, you can access eBooks and audiobooks on Libby and BorrowBox. Choose from classics, new releases, non-fiction and bestsellers for all ages. Titles can be borrowed for up to 21 days and are returned automatically.
Access our eBook and eAudiobook collection and find out more in our Virtual Library.
Libby
Browse the Libby eBook collection
Download the app - iOS / Android
BorrowBox
Browse the BorrowBox eBook collection
Download the app - iOS / Android
Family Storytime Sessions
Join us for an exciting selection of stories, songs and rhymes aimed at babies and children aged 0 to 5 years. You don’t need to book - just come in, enjoy the session and browse our huge range of children’s material afterwards.
These sessions are offered throughout the year and run during the school term only.
Hutt Street Library
Tuesdays 10:30 am to 11:15 am
Saturdays 10:30 am to 11:15 am
North Adelaide Library and Community Centre
Wednesdays 10:30 am to 11:15 am
City Library
Thursdays 10:30 am to 11:15 am
For more information see our Activities and Programs page.
Children's Reading Resources
Finding the right book at the right time for your kids can be challenging, but there are many resources both locally and internationally that can help children of all interests to find their next favourite book or series regardless of their age, reading level, or reading comprehension.
Local Resources
- Both Libby and Borrowbox, available for free through our Virtual Library, have read-alongs and eBooks specifically for children developing their reading skills. Libby also includes curated lists including Learn to Read and Read-Alongs - Read and Listen at the Same Time!
- Words Grow Minds is a South Australian government initiative that encourages parents and caregivers to Talk, Play, Read, and Sing with their children to foster brain development in early years, with Family Resources that cover everything from games and activities to reading suggestions. This program was developed with Raising Literacy Australia which offers additional activities and featured books that can be filtered by theme, age, publication date and author.
- The South Australian Premier's Reading Challenge, complete with book lists and prizes, runs each year from March to September to encourage students to read regularly and nurture a love of reading.
Additional Resources
- Comprehensive book lists and recommendations, broken down by age and reading level, can also be found at Imagination Soup (USA), BookTrust (UK), School Reading List (UK), and Reading Rockets (USA).
- Fantastic Fiction lists both children's and adult's series in the order in which they were written and includes the author's own recommendations and read alikes.
- Common Sense Media is an independent resource that offers age-based media reviews for families including for books and reading materials.
City Libraries Book Groups
Book groups give you the chance to meet like minded people and discuss a new book each month. City Libraries host three book groups, or you can borrow a set of books and start your own. Choose a time and venue that suits you and fill out a registration form to get started.
Meets: First Thursday of the month, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Where you’ll find us: Crawford Room
Level 2, Mortlock Wing, State Library of South Australia
Book to be discussed July: Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stewart
Book to be collected for August: Discipline by Randa Abdel – Fattah
Meets: First Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where you’ll find us: Upstairs meeting room at Hutt Street Library
235 Hutt Street, Adelaide
Book to be discussed July: Juice by Tim Winton
Book to be collected for August: Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad
Registration for the Book Group not available - currently at capacity.
Meets: First Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where you’ll find us: North Adelaide Library,
176 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
Currently meet at: The Caledonian Hotel - 219 O'Connell St, North Adelaide
Book to be discussed July: Always home, always homesick by Hannah Kent
Book to be collected for August: The Women by Kristin Hannah
Registration for the Book Group not available - currently at capacity.
Need more information?
Talk to the friendly City Libraries staff about all things books and reading: