As a traditional library, I think it's very good. I love the book collection there. Don't expect fast wifi, the very latest titles, etc, but expect: - Good collection of books, including few relatively recent books (2014-2016, review written in 2017), and some recent popular titles, in English, and in other languages (Chinese and Arabic to name a few) - Very good collection of kids books, both for toddlers and older junior readers, that's good both in quantity and quality (They also have scooters and kids toys for borrowing!) - Friendly staff most of the time. They are strict, etc, but most of the time not aggressive / unfriendly, and always happy to answer questions/ provide help when asked. If your experience was different, you were probably a tiny bit unlucky. - A good borrowing system. It allows you to reserve books, and borrow unreserved books for 3 weeks which can be renewed twice for most titles. You get email notifications 2 days before due date and the day after due date. You can reserve / renew books online too. - A working search, although it's ancient and has many opportunities of improvement. It allows you to search Penshurst branch too, and reserve books from there to be picked up from Hurstville library - Plenty of seats. It does get too crowded around kids area, and noisy around common students space, but usually the noise is bearable and there're other seats in other spaces. If you really need quiet, there's a study space at the end, although I wish the study space had more power plugs like others mentioned. - A couple vending machines for snacks and drinks. There's also limited seating space right after the entrance for reading while eating / drinking. Since it's after the entrance security line, you don't need to borrow the book you want to read while snacking.

This library is still living in the Stone Age. The generations have changed and technology is the key to our next chapter. This library lacks the most important facilities such as convenient study spaces with power outlets to connect your laptops and etc. wifi is extremely slow and capped. Quite study area has table dividers smaller than the length of an open newspaper. Recharge station with 30min limit and you have to leave your laptop there and cannot work on it. Potential for theft and etc leaving valuables in an open charge station. Plug points available have a key lock to turn them off so you are forced to use a recharge station. I don't care about the books you have. All we look forward now is a study space with availability to power and internet and a decent desk space. Also most libraries allow drinks in a closed container and snacks. This place just need some innovation and some guidance to the right direction. Will never return to this place.

I've seen some scathing reviews about this particular library but in my experience, it's not all that bad. Came here right before lunch hour to study until closing time and didn't have a single problem. You are allowed to have food and drinks in here, the place is spacious and there's plenty of room for private study. When I went, there weren't any inconsiderate or obnoxious visitors around. WiFi worked perfectly fine too and was more consistent than mine at home. Some recommendations would be cleaning as there is faint pen graffiti on the walls and crumbs on the tables. So I would appreciate more staff attentiveness or even just more employed as it is a large place to monitor. Overall, I think there have been reforms to how things run here compared to what other older reviews say. I'm going to come back for more study sessions too. Just one more thing, bring back the powerpoints for charging!

Today I went to Hurstville library for collecting my reserved books. However, as I am a new member of the library which registered last night, I was not familiar with the book borrowing process. I was not able to pick up the books because after reservation request place online, I need to wait for the notifications before pick up. I did not aware about it and feel so disappointed because I was planning to enjoy my offdays within the books. Surprisingly, the staff there find a VERY NICE BOOK for me to instead! it is from the same author of the one I booked for. Also, the young man wrote the name of his recommended book for me. I was so touched by this kindly help, and he brings me a kindness of the world in this special time. Thank you and thank you all in Hurstville Library, you are so great and you warmed the world！

I entered the library with my 2 kids, a toddler and a preschooler to get some books for them. First impression! A vending machine with unhealthy snacks right at the entrance, close to the kids section! Second impression! At the kids’ section there were more toys than books! Tricycles mostly! Expensive toys! And all for rent! They are exposed to all kids, but they are not allowed to touch them, unless parents pay to rent them!!! Kids were not interested for the books, but for the toys! They wanted to take home toys, not books! A chaos and panic, they started crying and yelling! They wanted chocolate, chips and toys from the LIBRARY! Or at least I thought I had entered a library and not the Easter Show! I left from there insane and never going back!

Absolute joke. I have been attending this library for over 10 years. The power points have been removed and library has two charging points for 30min monitored by micro-mamaging staff that will give you an earfull if you go over. A very sloppy solution for aiming to achieve a more "sustainable" library considering the air conditioning is near freezing temperature sometimes. The library also has a number of thieves that regularly visit so leaving valuables like laptops and phones in charging points without being able to monitor them is a risk visitors will need to take to charge.

I hadn't been in a library for quite a few years as I tend to just buy books online these days. However I went in here with my daughter recently as she's reading books faster than I can buy them. There's lots of study space and there are certainly some great ideas in the tech space with the self service stuff. However the book selection was quite poor. For such a large space they had very little. If I was doing research or was looking for a particular book I wouldn't recommend this place at all.

This library doesn't even deserve a star. Not one. (sadly though in order for me to post this, i need to press AT LEAST one star) I AM CURRENTLY IN THE LIBRARY USING MY PHONE INTERNET TO POST THIS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS .... NO WIFI FULLY FUNCTIONING!!! ps. bring portable charger cause apparently i do not have a right to use the power plugs that are SURROUNDING THE ENTIRE ROOM, unless i obtain this "special key". What a joke.

Helpful friendly staff, there are a lot of toys for children to borrow and guitars too. There are a large number of DVDs as well some quite recent, the negatives would be it can get noisy at the computer area as some students talking loudly & were swearing it felt uncomfortable I was with my 1 year old at the time I had to remove myself. I think the computers may need some upgrading, overall it's an ok library.

I wish I could spend time with my child like in the other libraries. Unfortunately, I found out that children are not welcome to stay in. The staff advised parents to borrow toys back home instead of playing them in the library because children can’t keep quiet. Is the library inclusive enough for kids? Do the Hurstville children lose their rights to educational practices in their local library?

An incredible place to hangout, socialise and work. There are plenty of workspaces where you can get work done quietly, it has plenty of computers with one always being free, lounging and desk areas, recording equipment, instruments and even a green screen room. There is no end to what you can accomplish here, really great work environment and I would definitely recommend checking it out.

This is honestly the worst library I have ever been to. The WiFi is capped at 500mb, its incredibly slow and there are hardly any power point stations. There are some on the floor but don't bother with them they are fake. The real ones are on a pole in the middle of no where so you'll need to leave your laptop there and not study while you wait... Staff are rude as well.

Worst library to study in St George - haven't put any money into it for years. Well below Kogarah and Rockdale. Loads of lost space especially in the back study section - could fit loads more group tables. Rockdale has bookable study spaces and a powerpoint for almost every chair - Hurstville has hardly any, just power stations to leave your laptop.

More tables for studying can be placed if everything is arranged around. Also, very noisy especially with toddlers around, they should able to segregate sections. It is very hard to concentrate with a kid screaming literally every second in the back. Also, compared to other libraries, hardly any powerpoints for charging means. :((

6 powerpoints in a spot with only 3-4 seats?? Why?? I came here once and the way everything was arranged was dogsh*t. I couldn’t find a PowerPoint to sit down and do work on my laptop? If I wanted it to charge it I had to leave it? Which defeated the purpose of coming to the library, to use my laptop to study…

This is a playground not a library uniquely characterised by full load of students whose lingo are full of the f words. And the librarians are not in sight to bring the noise down. Otherwise there's a reasonably good choice of collections as a community library. Sure miss the National Library in Canberra.

the quiet area is the worst part of the library, its so noisy. It has become the hanging place for the high school students after school. I dont recommend to anyone who is trying to study. The management team really need to solve this problem otherwise soon enough it would be just a hangout place.

Read a few reviews about having bad internet, but after being here a few times, internet on library computers isn't bad at all, but ye when you connect to their wifi then it's slow and there are plenty of charging ports, yes on busy times may not be available but overall happy with internet here.

Layout is not bad but security is a big problem...Saw a man touching himself in the library!!! Reported to staff immediately but the reaction was not quite efficient. Never thought this kind of behavior could ever happen in a library especially in this one where there are always kids around.

The net is ALWAYS slow, i mean come on even HURSTVILLE WESTFIELD has faster net then this library. You are not allowed to drink anything apart from water, not even juice or coffee, like really? Lastly the toilets are a disgrace, it ALWAYS smells putrid and there is NEVER any toilet paper.

Have few charge station and toilets. First visit to this library since moving here recently. Got a membership card in 5 mins after registered online in the library. We can borrow 50 items, either books or DVD for 3 weeks, can extend for another 2 times if can't finish.

Great library for kids. Large range of books to choose from. Can also borrow toys, videos, guitars, ebooks, and CDs. Plenty of spaces fort quiet study and also recharging devices. Never really too busy I have found. Good books for kids on the Premier Readers Challenge

The workers here are very rude and take their job too seriously. They disrespected my friend and almost pushed the door on her face. They speak to the students with so much attitude and disrespect. If you’re going to work somewhere be polite it seriously isn’t hard.

Great quite area and a wide selection of books. Good customer service, decent child play area, and a good selection of movies to hire. Quick and easy sign up for library cards. Many great functions and activities held for the community on a constant basis.

Very Spacious, i love how you can borrow bundles of kiddy books and borrow kiddy toys. There is also a very generous amount of music instrument and equipment to borrow for people to hone their craft without paying exorbiant amounts of equipment expenses~

A great place to read and bring curious kids. It’s new modern features include a sound booth, and new scanners. The kids section has been turned into a place for storing toys, books and other places are also refurbished. Come here if you need a book!

Extremely rude staff. Unpleasant environment. Needs upgrading and modernising. Honestly filthy and horrible place to get some peace or quiet. I’d rather study at a garbage collection plant than this hole in the Wall they call a library

Very quiet library with plenty of study spaces and good selection of books! They also have a kids section and an independent music room, very impressive for a local library. Recommend for students or someone who loves reading !!

The toy library is amazing! Great assortment of quality toys with new selections being added to the collection regularly. Toys are always clean and in great condition and the toy area is well maintained. Great toy library!

Pretty good area for study, especially with a good amount of charging stations and such. Can sometimes get a bit noisy, especially if there's a lot of kids or an event going on inside of the library (which happens often).

"Quiet Area" is not quiet at all. There should be library staff monitoring the area, as many of the people there hang out or converse too loudly, rendering the area unsuitable for study and not living up to its name.

I love the huge area to accommodate yourself and have some private reading done. After school hours are a bit crowded and noisy but it's not all that bad. However, I wish there were more charging points.

Place is great! Plenty space for study. Books of many kind of languages. Nutural light , air conditioning are just good. If a water dispenser is added like many other libraries can benefit users a lot.

Love this Library, complete collection of books, magazines, and dvd. There is also language section which I can rent some Indonesian book from here. Very happy to join member in this library.

Good customer service from all librarians I encountered. One of them was not as pleasant as others but seems to be improving in the right direction. Overall I will still give a 5 for service.

Only one level but plenty of computers available. Note they're all Chrome OS not Windows, so no access to any programs like MS Office, notepad etc. You can only use Google Docs, Sheets, etc.

Great service with cool asian guy working the front, Needed help with printing stuff for work 15 minutes before closing, Even tho he was busy he got right up and helped me out. Great place.

I really enjoy coming to this library. I always find something good to read. Staff are helpful and friendly. Their collection is quite extensive, great for the diverse Hurstville community.

Quite place There are a lot of Computer And copy machine You can pay by eftpos or cash Kid area is tidy and clean I went for book sale event is very interested 50 cent per book or &5/ box

Terrible!!!! You don't get your money back. I put $50 in the vending machine. Nothing came out. Told librarian. Said we can't do anything!! NEVER PUT YOUR MONEY IN AGAIN …

It's a good quiet library, but sometimes they have the books I'm for. PC use is free but only for the internet, but using programs like Microsoft Word needs to be paid for.

Originally disturbed by a group of noisy high school students in the open area. As soon as a small room designated for quiet study was found out, problem solved. awesome!

Nice big library, good selection of toys to borrow for children (not allowed to play with the toys without borrowing them first), and there's a small playhouse as well.

Great local library ,always full of school kids that are learning with their friends in the afternoons..if you want total "quiet" study you should do it at home :)

Love the local library. Helpful staff,catalogue is richly diverse and updated. Something for everyone with an array of activities for all ages in community.

cannot get they donot allow any soft drinks to be take into lib but a vendoring machine of softdrinks placeing in front of the entrance. how rediculous

most selfish rude staffs i have ever experience in my life, just because nearly closing time, just turned off the power, couldnt finished printout,

Somehow they think it is a good idea to remove the powerpoints and the urinals. Staff can be both annoying and helpful. Decent selection of books.

All the staffs are very helpful. Robert Luo is very kind and helpful staff. I had a very good experience and everything has been made very easy.

Its such a big and spacious library. Love the design and it even have a corner for those who are hungry and want to dine close to the library.

The library is better and bigger than before. However it is very noisy when teenagers come here and talking, not a quiet place for reading.

almost no internet, Very few charging ports，don’t have drinking water pipe , Bad experience！！！……good result is that going to other library

It is a clean and quite place, actually I like there. There are also able to borrow toys, guitar and more, which was interesting to know.

Great Library . Needs more more material to cover the ethnic mix of the residents esp Hindi , Nepali and Gujarati material.

charging slots are very less. battery goes down quick but you can not charge your device and then end up going back home.

Great collection of resources. Includes books and newspapers in different languages and toys for the younger audience.

I like to come here for rhymetime on Mondays at 10am. Easy to find street parking nearby. Wheelchair accessible too.

Needs more seating areas, more charging ports and allow people the privilege to drink anything in the library.

Would be beneficial if they got more tables, especially with the quiet study area currently being renovated.

This library saved my day, forgot to print something important and they have printing for 20 cents per page.

Awesome and very helpful staff. The library has a large range of books and is very quiet and peaceful!

the staff is very rude, 3:55pm, I just want to ask a question, not let me in and say go out no please

Busy library with clean and enjoyable environment. Love going there. Staff are friendly as well

My favourite place in Hurstville but books are limited but still has a decent amount of books.

Nice and organised space, whether you are looking to read, study in groups or by yourself

This library saved my hsc. Needs more seating though, or collaborative areas for groups.

Excellent centrally located library with an amazing range of books and other resources.

Some of the staff in this library are not professional, they don't respect my privacy.

Quite large, good selection of books, although not very large and limited study space

Very good here ,quiet big .u can borrow many books here. Also have place charge phone

Staff was very helpful and polite. The lady helped me print something from my phone.

all good, except limited power socket, most of the seats don't have power supply

Helpful staff. Good facilities. Computer help. Cheap printing. Toys library.

lots of selection of items, staff is helpful . and like the small playroom .

Friendly staff and a lot of new books. The online portal works great too.

I use to love studying here. During peak times it’s hard to find a chair

Bruh literally he loudest library ever, I'm just tryna read my book

Big library and lots of choice Very convenient so close to station

spacious library with mega amounts of books. Good studying areas.

Love it, very accessible location. Lots of books for kids, toys.

Quick reservation process. Got the item I wanted, no problems.

Worst staff I've seen in my life! So mean and lack courtesy!

Ok, but they should add PowerPoint to every table to charge

Good spot to study, also has free WiFi that isn't capped

It's a good place to do some work without distractions.

Dear Old chinese lady Thank you for your rude service

Note: Not allowed to bring food and drinks to pc area

There is also a toilet . It's too quiet

The worst library in NSW.

knowledge, power