Collections & Services
Collections
All our collections are growing and changing; all suggestions of items to buy are welcomed.
Fiction and Non Fiction Collection
The non fiction collection reflects the diverse interests on the local community; with subject strengthens in cooking, travel, history, social issues, health and the environment.
The fiction collection focuses on current and popular novels; with the classics and the Top 1000 Books to Read being collected. Click here for Novels to read in a variety of genres.
Reference collection
A standard reference collection is held. Many of the traditional texts have been replaced by data bases and websites so please enquire if the resource you seek is not in the catalogue and we will direct you to a point of access.
Children's Collection
These are designed to capture the imagination, develop reading skills and support the education process. Children’s needs are individual so please contact the Children Librarian on 9367 9340 for assistance and advice.
Toy collection
The toy collection is so popular that there is a limit of two toys per borrower. This is a wide range of interactive educational toys for those critical formative years.
Young Adult collection
This collection aimed towards teenagers to relax, inform and amuse. The majority of the non fiction is selected to support high school subjects including an extensive HSC Collection.
Paperbacks, magazines & newspapers
These ephemeral collections are very popular. The paperbacks are divided into four genres based on reading tastes: general, crime, science fiction and romance. In excess of 350 magazine titles are held; please check the catalogue for availability. The magazine back issues are held for 12 months only. The newspaper collection is a read in house only collection.
Local History collection
This is a growing specialist historic collection capturing information, images and stories about Leichhardt Municipality and the people who have lived here in the inner suburbs of Sydney – Annandale, Balmain, Birchgrove, Leichhardt, Lilyfield and Rozelle.
DVD collection
The DVD collection has two sections; movies and documentaries. Due to the popularity of this collection there is a limit of ten DVD’s per borrower.
Music CDs, Spoken Word CDs, Language and CD Rom collections
The music collection has four sections; contemporary, classical, world and blues/jazz. Currently the spoken word collection is being developed focusing on fiction stories. The CD Rom collection includes MP3’s and a variety of learn a language kits are held.
Italian collections
This collection of books, DVDs and CDs reflects the culture of Leichhardt.
Services
Author Talks
Each month at
Leichhardt
Library
there is an author talk. Non fiction authors are featured discussing contemporary and controversial topic. Talks are held in the evening and light refreshments are provided. So if you would like the opportunity to engage in discussion come along; for details check the events pages. For a list of upcoming author talks click here.
Book Clubs
Leichhardt
Library
Service sponsors several book clubs; meetings are held at Leichhardt and Balmain libraries. For more information please contact Information on 9367 9266 at Leichhardt or 9367 9211 at Balmain.
Leichhardt Library's Book Club List; FOBL Open Book Club.
Internet and PC services
These services are available at both libraries. Members may use these services to a maximum of 2 hours per day and may book a week in advance. This service is popular so it is advisable to book a few days in advance; please visit or phone
Leichhardt
Library
9367 9266 or
Balmain
Library
9367 9211.
Home
Library
Service
The Home
Library
Service is free library service to residents in the Leichhardt Municipality, who are unable to visit the library due to age or illness. Books and resources are delivered, on a three week cycle, to the borrower’s home. To access this service a doctor’s certificate is required. Residents in nursing homes do not need a doctor’s certificate. Please Phone the Home
Library
officer on 9367 9362 if you or someone you know may require this service.
Exhibition Space
The Exhibition Space is provided to encourage, stimulate and promote innovative and contemporary forms of art by local artists. Priority is given to quality contemporary exhibitions with themes that are of relevance to the local community. Additional events accompanying the exhibitions such as workshops, launches, artists’ talks & seminars are encouraged. The space is often booked six or more months in advance and is available at both Leichhardt and Balmain Libraries. Generally the duration of the exhibition is four weeks however longer periods can be negotiated. There is a hanging system installed which requires that works be hung using ‘D’ rings & exhibitors will need to speak to staff regarding installation requirements. For enquiries please contact the Local History Librarian on 9367 9335. 
Leichhardt Library Exhibition Space Guidelines and Application Form (86.53kB)
Meeting Room
The Meeting Room at Leichhardt Library is available Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4 pm. The room will accommodate
20 - 30 people and has small equipped kitchen, tables, chairs, Internet connection, computer projector, white board and flip chart.
The Meeting Room at Balmain Library is available from 9:30 am to 5:30 Monday Thursday Friday; Tuesday and Wednesday 9:30-8:00pm; Saturday
9:30-4pm. The room will accommodate 10-20 people and has a small equipped kitchen, tables and chairs.
A refundable deposit $150 will apply for all bookings. A Community Rate of $10 per hour applies for not for profit organizations in the local government area. $20 per hour charge for commercial and other organizations. Please refer to the Meeting Room Charges. Contact Leichhardt Library for Bookings 9367 9266.
FOBL – Friends of
Balmain
Library
This is an active community group whose focus is to lend community support to the
Balmain
Library
and its activities. Activities include author talks, book fairs and a regular newsletter – ‘Bookworm’. A major achievement of the group has been a long standing commitment to the improvement of the Balmain library facilities which has culminated in the March 2009 refurbishment of the library and town hall. If you are interested in joining this group please email friendsbalmainlibrary@gmail.com or check the website www.fobl.org.au
Volunteers
Leichhardt
Library
has a limited number of dedicated volunteers working in the Local History Room on specialised projects. This work is organised around projects and volunteers all have both library skills and a commitment to the local history of Leichhardt. For enquiries please contact the Local History Librarian on 9367 9335.
Local History Groups
Local History Groups are active vibrant participants in the collection and recording of historical information pertaining to Leichhardt Municipality and the people who have lived here in the inner suburbs of Sydney – Annandale, Balmain, Birchgrove, Leichhardt, Lilyfield and Rozelle. If you are interested in participating and contributing to Local History please contact the following associations
The Balmain Association
Annandale Urban research Association
Heritage Group of Leichhardt District
Leichhardt Urban Research Association