When did libraries get so cool?
Libraries across South Australia have seriously stepped up their game at the hub of all things community and have moved way beyond just books and encyclopedias!
Libraries aren’t just bricks and books anymore. They are community hubs, they are a place to escape, a place for fun, a place to learn, a place to sit quietly and a place to sit not so quietly. There’s libraries with virtual reality, libraries with baby rhyme time, story telling, classes, school holiday programs, book clubs and SO MUCH MORE. Also – they are free!
We’ll be doing the rounds of some of Adelaide’s best libraries for kids and families and featuring them right here on our website. Please let us know in the comments below if you know a great library or you’d like us to feature your local library next.
Aldinga Library
Marion Library
Marion Cultural Centre Library is fantastic! It has Story Telling sessions for pre-schoolers, Baby Bounce for bubs, Storytime Pods, Kids iPads & more! Kids can even loan Xbox Consoles & games as well as Nintendo Switches for use in the library. How cool!
As usual, they have a wonderful range of books for the kids to borrow, or why not stay at the library awhile & read some books at one of the tables or lounges with your little one? For opening hours & details on all their programs, head to their website.
Seaford Library
The Seaford Library has such a fantastic kids area. Want to play with building blocks? Go for it! Want to borrow DVDS or from the Toy & Sports Library? Done! Be warned, it will take you a LONG TIME to get inside, because your kids will want to climb all over the mosaic wall that is outside first. Once you are inside however, your kids can browse books, toys, DVD & play in the kids space. As with all City of Onkaparinga libraries, it also runs the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club, craft sessions. movie matinees, Toddlertime, Storytime & Babytime programs. Find out more via their website.
Port Adelaide Enfield Libraries
There are five libraries in the Port Adelaide Enfield Council Region – Semaphore, Port Adelaide, Parks (Angle Park), Greenacres & Enfield. All have a fantastic selection of books, puzzles, board games, toy collections, community spaces, kids programs & more. However our favourite thing is in the Parks Library – the Makerspace! It is filled with equipment for creating – crochet, painting, hot glue guns, soldering irons, hammers and HEAPS MORE. There is even a Media Room with a recording studio! Check out the details here.
Image: City of Port Adelaide Enfield website
SA State Library
It would be remiss of us not to include this one, wouldn’t it?! Located smack bang on North Terrace in Adelaide, the Mortlock Wing of the State Library is like stepping into Hogwarts…the kids are guaranteed to love exploring & we’ll bet they will learn something along the way. Make sure you visit at Christmas to see the giant tree in all it’s glory. Check out their website for What’s On.
Hamra Centre Library – City of West Torrens
Hamra Centre runs some pretty cool programs for kids & youth, including movie nights & homework help sessions (ok, the kids might not think that’s cool, but those of us who are TERRIBLE at Year 8 Maths do). Kids can also get involved in Book Week, Reading Challenges & School Holiday Programs. Check out their website.
Cove Civic Centre Library
The Cove Civic Centre Library is across the road from the Hallett Cove Shopping Centre & is part of the City of Marion libraries. It has a great kids area including iPads, Nintendo Switches and a Toy Library – this is a great option if your kids get bored of toys after a week or two, just take them back & borrow new ones!
They offers weekly Baby Bounce and Toddler Time and Storytelling sessions for littlies and various after school activities for older kids which change each term. The Cove Civic Centre Library also runs school holiday programs such as short story competitions. Jump onto the Cove Civic Centre Library website to find out more about what the library offers & get involved.
Mount Barker Library
Comfy lounge seats, kids programs, tons of kids books & a toy library? WE ARE THERE!
Mount Barker Library is a lovely spot to pop into, whether you just want to read some books quietly with your kids or get involved in one of their activities. They run regular Baby Giggle & Story Time sessions, along with school holiday activities. They also provide the Busy Things program online which is an award winning educational game for ages 3-7.
Plus a toy library – woohoo! Toy Libraries are a fantastic idea if you want to be sustainable or if your kids get bored of their toys quickly. Borrow up to 15 toys every fortnight! For more info on the Mount Barker Library, go to their website.
Civic Library, Woodville
Embark on an exciting journey of discovery and wonder with your little adventurers at the City of Charles Sturt Libraries.
The Civic Library in Woodville is one of Charles Sturt’s largest libraries and has all of the makings for a fun outing with the kids!
They hold weekly Baby Time and Toddler Time sessions as well as having a lovely kids section at the library for you to relax and read some stories.
Burnside Library
The Burnside Library has a LOT going on for kids & families so if you’re local to the area, make sure you are popping in regularly. They have some fantastic school holiday activities, Baby Chat, Toddler Tales & Storytime for Pre-Schoolers, along with a Young Writer’s Club for kids 5+. Plus a wonderful selection in their Toy Library makes it easy to be sustainable & make sure your kids are never bored at home! Check out their website.
Image: Burnside Library
Coventry Library – Stirling
Giant games, interactive activities, kids programs, craft & oh yeah, books! The Coventry Library in Stirling is a lovely spot to escape & just relax for awhile. Plus there are plenty of great cafes nearby! Keep an eye out for their What’s on Guide’ which runs seasonally with loads of programs and activities for both children and adults.
City of Holdfast Bay Libraries
In this council area you’ll find the Glenelg & Brighton Libraries. Perfect to pop into after a visit to one of the many cafes & playgrounds in the area. They have all the usual kids programs, but the one we love is “Stay & Play” where you & your child move through self guided play stations, cause let’s be honest getting kids to sit still is often a challenge!
They have also recently released Sensory Kits that are available for hire (exclusively from Brighton Library) and can be borrowed for 2 weeks at a time!
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