Hindmarsh Library

Sometimes I wish they would amalgamate all the council libraries into four or five really awesome ones. But then I remember that not everyone can ride their bike or drive wherever they want. Out of the many council libraries in my immediate zone, Hindmarsh is one of the better ones. It is quite large and modern, and has a mobile book service which is great for people who are unable to leave their home.
As well as their excellent physical collection they have a small collection of online e-​books, encyclopaedias and newspapers. In particular the children’s e-​book collection is an impressive online resource. During the summer the library hosts some great activity days for kids — storytime days and cooking days.
As Jo mentioned, the fiction collection is a little paltry — it might do well to get a general public card for a university library like the Barr Smith if you’re looking for a better range.

I love how each library has a certain personality and focus. I know where to go when I want something particular, and there are many libraries to choose from in Adelaide.
Hindmarsh Library is spacious and cool, a great place to browse its dozens of newspapers, or its decidedly odd, yet interesting, non-​fiction range.
In the non-​fiction section there is a row dedicated to sexuality, along the lines of «What Men Want» and «Orgasm» which sets this suburban library somewhat apart from its city counterparts. There is also a focus on spirituality, several guide books by Deepak Chopra, alongside titles like «Understanding the Future» and «Life Before Life», to complement the usual offerings of hefty books on Ancient Philosophy and Christian Apologetics.
There is a limited number of computers for normal use, along with scanners and catalog computers.
The wall art changes every two months to display local artworks. The art on display this month was made by the children of Bowden and Brompton Community School, though most often they display adult artwork from surrounding community art programs.
There is a length of windowed wall overlooking Port Road, dedicated to plugging in laptops. From a high swivel chair you can survey the passing parade as your batteries chug back to life.
At 2pm on a Thursday afternoon, the place is hushed, quiet and peaceful. My neighbourhood friend regularly complains of the noise levels in the library after school hours, when the space ‘becomes a playgroup’, but during school hours it is perfect for those seeking a quiet reading place.
A table at the front displays new items. One that catches my eye is titled «Wolfsbane and Mistletoe», a book of festive werewolf short stories. The fiction collection is only as large as the non-​fiction section, and romance novels comprise a quarter of it, so I don’t come here for the latest quality fiction.
There is a computer dedicated to Genealogy, which I have never been brave enough to approach, as well as a set of shelves for family and local history records.
While you can connect to wireless, it is painfully slow, so don’t expect to achieve much in a hurry.