Leichhardt Library

73 reviews

23 Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040, Australia

www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au

+61293925588

About

Leichhardt Library is a Public library located at 23 Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040, Australia. It has received 73 reviews with an average rating of 3.9 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday9AM-7:30PM
Tuesday9AM-7:30PM
Wednesday9AM-5:30PM
Thursday10AM-5PM
Friday10AM-5PM
Saturday9AM-7:30PM
Sunday9AM-7:30PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Leichhardt Library: 23 Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040, Australia

  • Leichhardt Library has 3.9 stars from 73 reviews

  • Public library

  • "Top notch, the perfect suburban library, part of the Inner West system of libraries"

    "A fantastic local library with a great range of books, magazines, DVDs, CDs and toys for children"

    "I arrived to Leichhardt Library for the first time for Rhyme Time"

    "It's not just the inconsiderate parents who make NO EFFORT WHATSOEVER to quieten their noisy kids (when there's a big open space in the forum just outside - really?)"

    "Thank you, librarians of Leichhardt Library! I'm so glad I got back into using the Leichhardt library"

Reviews

  • Garry Stevens

Top notch, the perfect suburban library, part of the Inner West system of libraries. I visit regularly. The library is spacious and quiet. The staff are helpful and knowledgeable. I don't understand any of those who say otherwise. There are three important features I love about the library. First, they maintain a "floating library" with the other libraries in the Inner West system. Say you borrow a book from the Marrickville branch and return it to Leichhardt. The book stays at Leichhardt. That means that browsers have a constant change of stock to peruse. Second, the online reservation system. Piece of cake to use. No matter where the book is in the Inner West system, you can reserve it and pick it up at the library of your choice. Third, the Alert system. Always looking for the latest by your favorite author? Just set up an alert to inform you of their latest book. Then reserve it! Brilliant.

  • Karen Wong

A fantastic local library with a great range of books, magazines, DVDs, CDs and toys for children. There are regular rhymes and storytime sessions for children which you need to book in advance. There is also a lovely childrens' area with an activity wall, activity beads and beanbags which makes it a good rainy day place for the children to let off some steam. You can park in the Italian Forum carpark and get your ticket validated there. They have recently introduced a self-loan/check out computer system which has a very confusing interface where you have to select a very discreet 'For Loan' or 'To Return' button on the touch screen before scanning each item but staff are quite helpful. I prefer Gladesville Library self-scan where you just put a pile of books on a metal plate and it reads them all and you just drop the books in a chute to return then.

  • Felicity Beissmann

I arrived to Leichhardt Library for the first time for Rhyme Time. After traveling almost an hour by public transport to get there with my 10 month old and having difficulty locating the library with poor signage, I unfortunately got there at 9:39, 9 minutes after the session had started. The librarian refused me entry into Rhyme Time even after understanding that this was my first time ever to the library and I had travelled an hour. The librarian showed no compassion. After crying outside, I thought this was not acceptable and I asked to lodge a formal complaint. She handed me a piece of scrap paper and said there was no process in which to do so. I asked for the e-mail of someone in charge and I was given one. I have absolutely no impetus to return to this library and I'm really disappointed.

  • Jack Dixon

It's not just the inconsiderate parents who make NO EFFORT WHATSOEVER to quieten their noisy kids (when there's a big open space in the forum just outside - really?). The staff who work here are often the noisiest of them all, having full-volume conversations and at time shouting out to eachother across the library. It makes no sense when they could so easily whisper the location/availability of a book. Something must be going wrong in the interview process. An excellent book, magazine and DVD resource but you will honestly get more done procrastinating at home. This is a terrible place to study. The internet connection is mega slow and the people are noisier than farm animals. Shame, really..

  • Leonie Starr

Thank you, librarians of Leichhardt Library! I'm so glad I got back into using the Leichhardt library. I can usually reserve the title I'm after, the staff are great, it's super handy to just pop in and pick up a book when it's available, and parking is easy at the shops. Journalists like to bleat about the location, calling the Italian Forum building 'decrepit' lol. It's not. It's just a nice, quiet little residential square with the library tucked away in the corner on ground level.

  • A BALOCCO

I'm not sure who's louder, the kids or the staff... I thought I would try to study and get a productive day in and where better than a library.. yeah right... the study area is in front of the information desk and right in the hub of borrowing and returning so all you hear a beeps... the staff don't know how to tone down their voices and parents don't know how to tame their kids where appropriate. Won't be coming back here again!

  • Andrew Strauss

It might be a good place to go as a alternative to the mall or cafe, but for the rest of us who see libraries as a safe and quiet haven to study, think and write it was impossible to do so. It was loud, kids yelling and running around. The 'quiet area' situated in front of the information's desk is the epicenter of book return beeps and loud conversation. Impossible to study and write. Sorry, I tried.

  • Eloise Woodward

A really great library with a wide range of books, CD's, DVD's and speaking books in English and Italian. A really great location right next to Norton street shopping centre and in the Italian forum. Cheap membership costs and not too hefty fines for the occasional down-the-sofa missing book. Also computers with internet access available. A brilliant library with helpful staff and comfy chairs!

  • Noda

A good place to be when your bored with malls, cafes or just be with yourself reading, watching or learning. 1. Books and materials - the more the better. which i guess overtime will improve. 2. Downside is when parents/guardian brought their kids and makes this place like a playground. The noise they made is annoying to others considering this is a library.

  • Si

Great library. Good selection of books, newspapers, CD's/DVD's plus many more. Access to computers is available (if you book) plus free WiFi if you want to take your own laptop. The WiFi is a bit on the slow side. It's worth signing up to the library services on their website, as you can renew books online and get access to free magazines.

  • Mark Butler

Great local library with good staff and decent resources. A few different places to read or study. Not huge but still much bigger than Balmain library. Parking is a bit tricky and costly if you need to stay for a while with the forum still a ghost town. Hopefully the recent sale of the forum will benefit the library in some way.

  • Adrian

I've read something like 10-15 books.. for what looks like a limited catalogue the pretty much have had 9/10 books I've wanted to borrow and that's awesome cos my interests are quite weird. Whenever I've needed help the librarians are happy to help. This place is fantastic and my world would be crushed without it.

  • Carmen lia

its really a beautiful space but i wish it was not so loud the staff clearly work very hard but the information desk is right next to all the study areas and it is very disrupting. if it were planned out better information and the reading area would be in the front or at least a room for silent reading and study

  • vanessa seatang

Libraries are fantastic! I registered online and when I got there all I had to do was show my id and I got a library card. I don't read a lot these days but there's so many audiobooks available through the library app. This library is super close to lots of great food as well

  • Martha Jackson

Very disappointed. Extremely unfriendly loud staff. Bad location. Loud adults taking phone calls and even lost children looking for parents. Stained and odourous seats and couches. Old, crippled books, some with lost pages. Definitely not recommended

  • Christina Indsto

The library is impossible to find. Near non-existent signage. Libraries are a wonderful thing to have so please if make it so that the public don't become infuriated to the point of giving up just to return some books.

  • Joanna Malcolm

Friendly staff and great children's area with sensory board, soft cushions and toys you can borrow. Fun rhymes and movement groups for children of different ages, which are very popular so be sure to book ahead.

  • Gaëtane Dejeante

Too noisy to work. Space kids is at the bottom of the library so at all time kids run and cry passing in front of the quiet zone. Computers : 30 mins free with guest pass Print and copy : 0,20c black and white

  • Axeris Sondyre

I love my local library decided to get a library card for the first time since early high school recently and it was such a good decision. Lots of really good resources, and the staff are super lovely …

  • Vincent Pacialeo

This Is my local library; I come here pretty often to study and it's usually not busy (perfect). Free wifi, power, books to borrow and very clean. It's no state library but who really wants that?

  • Claire Marshall

Arrived 3 minutes late for rhyme time and was prevented from entering. Lady was rude and unhelpful and parking was a nightmare. I cannot believe that someone would be so horrible to a 3 year old.

  • Edward Re

I love this place. Where else can you walk up and just grab any book you feel like (apart from, say, Marrickville). Pretty decent size, good selection, self checkout, too easy.

  • Sachimo

Great friendly staff with nice library and facilities. However, the hours are not great. I love this place tho. Once bit an opp at t story time coz mans was lacking

  • Belen Silva

Lovely experience. Just make sure to know about the activities in the morning if you will study, and need a super quiet space. Very helpful and good stock of books.

  • Stephen Harris

Great library, super helpful staff... It is such a shame though that the Italian Forum is so dirty and run down. Most Libraries are in better locations i think.

  • J L

Heed the reviews. This place is teeming with burbling infants. Having said that there is a plethora of comfortable seating, desks and it's not bad inside.

  • jesbellea

Take the creche outside. Or convert the old computer room to be soundproof and make that the creche. Libraries for quiet time to think and read.

  • Bijan Dehestani

I dropped in to get a JP assistance. Punctuality and kind free service is pleasing. I needed a copy and staff kindly assisted me with that.

  • Ranjan S

Great place to study, very friendly staff, silent environment, easy wifi access. Easily available parking, Overall GOOD library facilities.

  • velvetpants50

Received wonderful service yesterday from the lady in attendance who walked me through all the steps to join and use the photocopier.

  • Philip Shelper

I come here to work. Plenty of desks, free wifi, nice and quiet, plus great food and coffee nearby. Oh, they also have books

  • gowtham S

The attend was very helpful and she went over and beyond to give me the printout that I forgot to take. Appreciate the help.

  • David Phillis

Love the library quite peaceful and endless amounts of time consuming activities …

  • NHMO OYTIS

Nice library but rather hard to find! Tucked away in a corner. Had to ask directions twice.

  • Teresa Sutanto

Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Really enjoy kids area with my children.

  • Robyn

I love this library. How lucky we are to have access to so many resources.

  • Derek Mckiernan

One of the best libraries I've been too Has a huge selection

  • Jake Selby

Excellent library, beautifully done up, helpful staff

  • Yuna Kwon

The best library

  • Jeffrey C

Nice and quiet

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