10 things you can do free with a library card

A City of Sydney library membership is free if you live in NSW. Here are 10 things you can do free with a library card.

1. Read magazines and newspapers online

Access more than 7,000 local, regional and international publications from more than 100 countries in over 60 languages.

2. Work and study space, free wifi and computers

If you need a quiet space to work or study, you’re welcome to use the wifi and computers in our branches.

3. Attend free talks, workshops and events

We’re hosting events for kids, teens and adults. From comedy to coding workshops, there’s something for everyone.

4. Rhymetime and Storytime

Foster your child’s language and literacy awareness through singing, actions, reading and other fun activities at one of our early learning sessions. Enjoy regular Rhymetime and Storytime in branch sessions. Can’t make it in person? Enjoy Auslan and English Storytime online or Storytime and Rhymetime online.

5. Online monthly book club

Zoom in from the comfort of your home. With monthly themes, you can read a book of your preference and tell us your favourite part. Share if you raced to the end or if it was more of a slow burn. Tell us who your preferred author is and why

6. Free online learning

Achieve your personal and professional goals with LinkedIn Learning: access over 16,000 micro and in-depth courses. Topics include everything from software and technology to creative pursuits and business skills. Taught by industry experts in 7 languages.

You don’t have to take an expensive class or trawl millions of online videos to learn a language. Members get free access to Mango Languages, interactive online learning courses with over 70 languages. Or you can borrow our language kits including books and CDs.

7. Tinker with a robot

Inventive and creative minds will love exploring robotics and programming with our take-home makerspace kits. Learn how to control a robotic ball or turn a banana into a touchpad to play online games, with a range of kits for ages 5 and older.

8. Borrow toys instead of buying them

Save money and the planet. Don’t buy lots of new toys to be discarded as soon as your child grows out of them. We have more than 200 toys and puzzles available for loan to help your little one develop.

9. Stream and download

Need some new tunes? You can download and stream over 15 million songs from over 40,000 labels without downloading any software.

Want to read but can’t find the time? Download ebooks, eaudiobooks and ecomics to your device for listen on your way to work, while you cook or exercise.

10. Work on Adobe Creative Suite

Have a poster to make or photos to edit? No need to invest in Adobe software at home. Come and use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Premier Pro at our Darling Square, Customs House and Green Square libraries.

If you are not already a City of Sydney library member, join now. City of Sydney residents and ratepayers can join with out visiting a branch.