When settling into your new home in Australia, you’ll likely be in search of activities that fit within your budget. Australia has an incredible network of public and institutional libraries across all states and territories. If you are a student or teacher, you’re probably already familiar with your school’s library. But don’t stop there, especially if you are a newcomer to Australia. From practical information and building skills to educational support to community events, the library is an excellent resource to enhance your international experience.
At Remitly, we understand the importance of finding a place of comfort in your new environment. The library could very well be that place. To help you navigate Australia’s library system, we’ve prepared this guide so you can take full advantage of all the educational tools at your fingertips.
Exploring Australian libraries for education resources
Australia has several significant libraries, including the National Library of Australia (NLA) in Canberra. The country also has state libraries, university libraries, and public libraries available for use.
Types of educational resources available
Public libraries are a great spot to pass the time, but more than that, you can also find a variety of educational resources. Libraries give you the option to discover your favourite Australian author, learn about the cultural heritage of first Australians, or find a travel guide for a road trip through Western Australia.
These ideas are just the beginning. At your local library in Australia, you can:
- Check out books and other learning materials
- Study in a quiet, supportive space
- Do research on a specific topic
- Improve your language skills
- Get online, use a computer, and print documents
- Access multimedia resources
- Watch films
- Participate in workshops and events
- Access resources for kids
- Build your community
Accessing library resources
Anyone can walk into the library, grab a book, and take a seat—but if you become a member, the resources available to you are far and beyond. Here’s what you need to know to get started finding and using your local library in Australia.
Membership requirements and benefits
Joining the library is free and easy. To become a member, you need to be an Australian resident (although visitors can access it, too). Simply bring a valid ID, like a passport or driver’s license, as well as proof of residence. Often, you can fill out your application online and then visit your nearest branch to pick up your library card.
Not yet a resident? Here’s what you need to know before you move to Australia.
Online and in-person access
Whether you become a member of your school library, State library or even the National Library of Australia, you will be granted access to millions of items, both online and in-person. Once you become a member, you will be given your library card, which you will use for digital access as well.
Effective use of library resources
Taking full advantage of the library means a mix of physical and digital, local and remote. If you visit the library in person, you can check out books and other materials to take home; access special collections like rare, antique, and oversized items; participate in events; practice your language skills; and take advantage of the library’s peace and quiet. You can also access the library remotely—for example, you can search catalogues, find audiobooks, download multimedia resources, and so much more.
Strategies for finding materials
Your search for information will typically start with a click or a conversation. Most libraries have user-friendly systems for finding materials. You can type in a keyword or specific book title and quickly see what is available, both online and in person.
While using a search engine is easy and intuitive, don’t forget about the library’s greatest resource for finding materials: the librarian! If you’re unsure how to start your research or are feeling stuck, a librarian can provide a wealth of information that no automated system can compare.
Depending on the library, you can ask a librarian for help online or go old-school and chat in person. More than just finding what you’re looking for, this is also an excellent opportunity to interact with a local and practise your language skills—things that can help you feel integrated in your community.
Leveraging databases and catalogues
Your library journey in Australia might start with your closest branch, but don’t forget about the network that lies beyond. There is no limit to the number of libraries you can belong to, and each one has a unique collection of educational resources for you to explore.
This is an excellent way to fill up your free time, especially because it’s free—a major benefit when trying to stay ahead of the cost of living in Australia.
Locating specific educational materials
To find the information you are looking for, start by searching for your topic in the library catalogue. Print resources will have a code next to the title, which is called a “call number.” This code is how you will locate your materials on the shelf. Resources on similar topics are located close to each other, so once you find the book or article you are looking for, it’s worth glancing at other titles nearby because they just might be of interest.
Accessing digital resources is even easier. Results typically appear alphabetically, and there is a search bar where you can refine your search results. Digital resources can usually be loaned directly from your phone or computer.
Utilising library tools for research
If you need to do research for an assignment, don’t forget to go beyond the typical print and e-books. Primary sources are invaluable when doing research, and you can search the library’s catalogue to identify historical documents, newspaper articles, interviews, photographs, and more in both print and digital formats.
Many libraries offer additional resources to support your research process, like the Ask Us page from the library at Notre Dame Australia University, where you can submit questions about finding information, citations, proper formatting, and so much more.
Locating specific educational materials is facilitated by a range of library tools and digital collections. Some tools to assist researchers include:
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- Australian National Bibliographic Database (ANBD): Hosted by the National Library of Australia (NLA), the ANBD is the largest single bibliographic resource in the country. Researchers can access the ANBD through Libraries Australia, a subscription-based service used for reference, collection development, and inter-library loans.
- Trove: This online library database is developed by the NLA in collaboration with major Australian libraries. Trove’s search functionality grants users access to a vast array of resources, many that are not available through external search engines.
Advantages of digital collections
There’s nothing like the feeling of a book in your hands—the crisp pages, the font, even the smell adds to the experience. But physical books can be heavy and bulky to haul around, just look at the typical student’s rucksack. More than their bulk, as a student, there are limits to using physical books for studying: you can’t mark up the pages of a library book, and you can only check them out for a limited period.
Digital resources, on the other hand, allow you access to all the information in a much easier format to take on the go. You can mark them up with digital tools, and once you download a file, you can access it whenever needed. Plus, you can access the online databases and collections of libraries around Australia—and worldwide—with just a few clicks, anytime, anywhere.
Digital collections in Australia offer several benefits. A few popular digital collections include:
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- National edeposit (NED): This collection is a collaboration between Australia’s national, state, and territory libraries, and it provides the management, storage, preservation, and access to published electronic material across the country.
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- Australian Web Archive (AWA): This publicly available online database is home to archived Australian websites. It is one of the largest web archives around the globe, and provides a resource for historians and researchers.
Library support for educators and students
As members of the library, students and teachers have access to countless print and digital resources like books, e-books, magazines, newspapers, journals, films, audio files, maps, and more to support their educational endeavours.
As an educator or a student, you can find networking events or library events to connect with like-minded people.
Workshops and learning sessions
Libraries in Australia offer a wide selection of groups and classes you can participate in all year long. You can practise your English, improve your computer skills, join a study group, learn about special interest topics, and get involved in your community.
Availability of school libraries in Australia
Nearly every school in Australia has a library, but these vary in size and the amount of staff, facilities, and resources they have. Some school libraries will feel quaint, others might have a wealth of information on a certain topic or in a certain format, while others will be world-class institutions with educational resources both broad and deep.
Resources typically offered by school libraries
School libraries offer everything you need for learning, doing research, and completing assignments: physical collections of books and materials, an entire universe of digital resources, computer workstations and wi-fi, safe and inclusive spaces for studying, and lots of events and extras to support students.
Many school libraries offer orientation sessions and in-person resources to help students and educators find the information they require to succeed on campus.
FAQs
What are the major libraries in Australia?
Australia has several significant libraries. The National Library of Australia (NLA) is the largest reference library in the country, located in the capital city, Canberra. Each state and territory has its own major library, such as the State Library of Victoria and the State Library of New South Wales. Universities, including the University of Sydney and the Australian National University, have extensive academic collections. Local public libraries are also available across the country.
How can I access digital resources from Australian libraries?
Many Australian libraries offer digital collections. Trove is a national database for books, newspapers, and historical documents. The National edeposit (NED) archives digital publications for public access. Many libraries also provide e-books, audiobooks, and online research tools through their websites or apps like Libby by OverDrive.
Are library services free in Australia?
Yes! Public and state libraries in Australia are free to join and use. Members can borrow books, access digital materials, use computers, and attend educational programs without cost. Some special services may have small fees.
How do I get a library card?
Visit your nearest public or state library with a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, and proof of address, like a utility bill or bank statement. Many libraries now allow online applications for digital access.