Books and Reading

All things books and reading

At the Adelaide City libraries you can enjoy our collection of over 80,000 items, 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 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 or using the resources on our Virtual Library.

Adelaide City Libraries Book Groups

Book groups give you the chance to meet like minded people and discuss a new book each month. Adelaide 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 12:30 pm

Where you’ll find us: Studio 2 at the City Library

Level 3, Rundle Place, Rundle Mall

Book to be discussed October: Wifedom by Anna Funder

Book to be collected for November: The Sympathizer by Thanh Nguyen

Register for the Book Group

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 October: The Enemy Within by Tim Ayliffe

Book to be collected for NovemberThe seven year slip by Ashley Poston

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 October: Jack by Marilynne Robinson

Book to be collected for NovemberHamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

Registration for the Book Group not available - currently at capacity.

Are you already a part of a book group but have run out of titles? Or do you have a group of friends who are keen to start one?

The Adelaide City Libraries have a special collection of book sets that you can use to start your own book club.

Book set titles available to borrow:

  • Assassin by Tara Moss – 8 copies
  • Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton – 10 copies
  • Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr – 10 copies
  • Devotion by Hannah Kent – 10 copies
  • Educated by Tara Westover – 10 copies
  • Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee – 10 copies
  • The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles – 10 copies
  • The Midnight Watch by David Dyer – 10 copies
  • The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas – 8 copies
  • The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead – 9 copies

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.

City Library

Level 3, Rundle Place, Rundle Mall, Adelaide

(Enter via Francis Street)

Thursdays 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Please note that these sessions run during the school term only. 

Hutt Street Library

235 Hutt Street, Adelaide

Tuesdays 10:30 am to 11:15 am

Saturdays 10:30 am to 11:15 am

Please note that these sessions run during the school term only.

North Adelaide Library and Community Centre

176 Tynte Street, North Adelaide

Wednesdays 10:30 am to 11:15 am

These sessions are offered throughout the year.

For more information see our Activities and Programs page.

Through the One Card network, you can access eBooks and audiobooks. 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.

Or, download the Libby app:

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.

Aboriginal Culture

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

Adelaide City Libraries offer material for loan in the following languages:

  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hindi
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Russian
  • 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.

Need more information?

Talk to the friendly Adelaide City Libraries staff about all things books and reading: