Northern Beaches Libraries 

Posted on by allthingsmomsydney@gmail.com

Northern Beaches Libraries 

There are a couple of libraries that make up the Northern Beaches Libraries. This includes Dee Why Library, Forestville Library, Glen Street Library and Manly Library. With the cooler months coming maybe it’s time to head indoors and make the most of the Northern Beaches Libraries.

Despite our love of books,I hadn’t even thought about taking the kids to the library until I read about the activities they have on. We don’t go to the activities, my kids are far too loud for that but we do love quick visits and taking books out.

Because I have such great memories of the trips to the library with my mom I wanted to find the kids are great library.

 

There are a couple of libraries that make up the Northern Beaches Libraries. This includes Dee Why Library, Forestville Library, Glen Street Library and Manly Library. With the cooler months coming maybe it’s time to head indoors and make the most of the Northern Beaches Libraries.  

Northern Beaches Libraries 

I’ve now checked out all of the libraries that make up the Northern Beaches Libraries Network. Dee Why, Forestville, Manly and Glen Street are all on the same system. What this means is that you can take books out at one and return to another. It really gives you great diversity. We love mixing it up and visiting the different libraries. Well all of them except Manly. I can’t handle Manly but we’ll get to that later.

 

Dee Why

Dee Why is probably the oldest. It’s in a big brick building that reminds me of the 1980s. It is surrounded by natural Bush with an area out the back where you can sit. I only found this area when I spotted a bunny out the window and had to go explore.

Address and Parking 

There is a huge Council car park, huge, so there is plenty of parking.

The kids area 

There is a designated kids area which has just been relocated in the building. It’s much nicer than it was at the beginning of the year.

There are now colorful cushions for the kids to sit on and a little table dedicated to colouring in. Up on the walls are those maze / games things that the kids love playing on.

Forrestville 

Forestville Library is probably our favourite  but not because of the library itself. The library is in a community center that has a small playground attached to it.

The building itself is good, the library smart and light. It’s a nice library, beaten only by the gorgeous new Glenn Street library.

 

Of the Northern Beaches Libraries Forestville Library is probably our favourite  but not because of the library itself. The library is in a community center that has a small playground attached to it.

Address and Parking 

Forrestville Library is at 6 Darley Street, Forestville.

There is a Council parking lot outside the library but it’s not big. Every time I’ve been I’ve had to do a few loops to find a parking.

The kids area 

The space for kids in the Forestville Library is lovely. It’s big and the arrangement of the books is good. There is a big space for the kids to sit in and read. The only problem is that it isn’t enclosed or away from the rest of the library so the kids have to keep very quiet.

There is a lovely little shopping centre with a big Coles and a few other shops. It’s really quite a sweet little spot where you can get a coffee and get some homewares.

 

Glenn Street 

This is by far the prettiest and smartest of the Libraries. It’s new, it’s light filled and just gorgeous.

Added to that it’s in such a great location, with a lovely playground down the road, a cafe in the same area and plenty of shops and restaurants across the road.

I've now checked out all of the libraries that make up the Northern Beaches Libraries Network. Dee Why, Forestville, Manly and Glen Street are all on the same system.

Address and Parking 

Glen Street Library is on the corn of Glen Street and Blackbutts Road, Belrose. If your GPS doesn’t pick up that address, change the suburb from Belrose to Frenchs Forest.

There is plenty of parking behind the library. The parking is on the same level as the Glen Street Theater or across the road at the smart shopping center.

The kids area 

I love this kids area. It’s not as big as Forrestville but it is so light and bright and happy. You walk through this giant key hole shaped entrance and you feel like you’re in a magical place.
There is colouring in for the kids and generally one other activity. On the last occasion we visited there  was Lego set up for the kids to play with.

 

Manly 

Manly Library is my least favourite of the Libraries. The library itself and the awful parking just make me unlikely to visit.

 

There are a couple of libraries that make up the Northern Beaches Libraries. This includes Dee Why Library, Forestville Library, Glen Street Library and Manly Library. With the cooler months coming maybe it’s time to head indoors and make the most of the Northern Beaches Libraries.  

Address and Parking

The address for the Manly Library is 2 Market Lane, Manly.

Parking is in the tall council car park off Market Lane. It’s a really tall structure that you have to wind up. The ramps going up are so narrow that if you drive anything other than bicycle you’ll probably have nightmares off driving off the ramp, especially if you have kids chattering in the back.

The kids area 

There is a designated kids space which is nice. It’s away from the main library and has a sunken center for story time. If I wasn’t so biased about the parking I may actually like this library.

There are tables set up for the kids to colour and draw.

I’m not convinced about the collection of books being as good as Dee Why or Forestville but there are probably more books than Glenn Street.

 

♦

 

If you love reading like we do, have a look at the series on the NSW Premier Reading Challenge.We’ve got 30 books we have to read through in order to complete the challenge and we just started last month.