Reader’s Choice 2023

The most popular book in 2023, as voted by you, was

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus!

Garmus’ runaway bestseller has been borrowed hundreds of times since its release in 2022, and it continues to be an extremely popular title with many borrowers keen to see what all the fuss is about!

Here’s what voters loved about it: 

“A true depiction of life for a single mother & working woman in the 1950’s. Well written and touched on relatable themes such as inequity, loneliness, and courage. Relevant for so many individuals.” 

“It was quirky, humorous and such a good read that I bought a copy and loaned it to friends. My favourite quote in the book is on the first page. It says ….’ it’s not your imagination. Most people are awful’” 

“Page turning, funny, poignant” 

“Very intelligent, dark sense of humour, inspiring, and fantastic characters. Kept me hooked the whole time and was exactly what I needed to get me out of my reading rut.” 

“It was completely empowering and tackled sexism in an interesting way.” 

“The characters were beautifully detailed & the story was captivating.” 

Congratulations to Author Bonnie Garmus, and to all the other nominees!

Our voter prize of a $150 Readings voucher, was awarded to Your Library member, Laura. Congratulations, Laura – happy reading! 

Library News

Categories
News
Kids
Books

Newspapers

The Age Online

  • Access every page, article, photo, table, advertisement and cartoon published in the printed edition
  • The content is available from 2006 and is updated regularly

Suitable for Ages: 15+

Available: Everywhere

The New York  Times

  • Read The New York Times for free
  • Original reporting by 1,700 journalists in over 160 countries.
  • Unlimited access in-branch; access via free 24-hour code on your own device

Suitable for Ages: 13+

Available: Everywhere

BRANCHNEWSPAPERNO. OF COPIESHELD FOR
BayswaterThe Age11 Week
Herald Sun11 Week
BelgraveThe Age11 Week
The Australian11 Week
Australian Financial Review11 Week
Herald Sun11 Week
Koori Mail11 Month
The Guardian Weekly11 Month
BoroniaThe Age11 Week
The Australian11 Week
Herald Sun11 Week
CroydonThe Age12 Weeks
The Australian12 Weeks
Australian Financial Review12 Weeks
Herald Sun12 Weeks
Ferntree GullyThe Age11 Week
The Australian11 Week
Herald Sun11 Week
HealesvilleThe Age11 Day
Herald Sun11 Day
Weekly Times11 Day
Koori Mail11 Day
Knox LibraryThe Age11 Week
The Weekend Australian11 Week
Australian Financial Review11 Week
Herald Sun21 Week
Neos Kosmos11 Week
Singtao Daily11 Week
LilydaleThe Age11 Week
The Australian11 Week
Australian Financial Review11 Week
Herald Sun11 Week
Koori Mail11 Week
Weekly Times11 Week
Monbulk CRRThe Age11 Day
Herald Sun11 Day
MontroseThe Age11 Week
Herald Sun11 Week
MooroolbarkThe Age11 Week
The Australian11 Week
Herald Sun11 Week
Mt Evelyn CRRThe Age11 Day
Herald Sun11 Day
RealmThe Age21 Week
The Australian21 Week
Australian Financial Review21 Week
Herald Sun21 Week
RowvilleThe Age11 Week
The Australian11 Week
Australian Financial Review11 Week
Herald Sun11 Week
Singtao Daily11 Week
Yarra JunctionThe Age11 Week
Herald Sun11 Week
Weekly Times11 Week
NEWSPAPERYEARS PUBLISHEDHOLDING BRANCH
Bayswater Inside Out1992 – 2001Boronia
Boronia and the Basin Community News1994 –Boronia
Croydon Mail1985-Apr 1996Croydon
Croydon-Mooroolbark Gazette1975-1978Ringwood Historical Society
Croydon PostAug 1988-Dec 1990Croydon
Croydon-Ringwood Post1987 (Jan.-Jun.)Ringwood Historical Society
Eastern Post Gazette1968-Mar 1970Ringwood Historical Society
Free Press1953-May 2000 (missing 1955, 1957)Knox Historical Society
Free Press LeaderJune 2002 –Knox Historical Society
Independent MounteasterlyJul 1980-Dec 1984Knox Historical Society
Knox GazetteJun 1969-Dec 1971Knox Historical Society
Knox JournalOct 1999- Sep 2010Knox Historical Society
Knox LeaderMay 2001-Knox Historical Society
Knox NewsJul 1989-Apr 2001Knox Historical Society
Knox PostMar 1995-Sep 1999Knox Historical Society
Knox-Sherbrooke Gazette1972-Jun 1975Knox Historical Society
Knox-Sherbrooke News1969-Jun 1989Knox Historical Society
Knox-Sherbrooke Post1989-Feb 1995Knox Historical Society
Knox StandardNov 1984-Feb 1988Knox Historical Society
Knox WeeklySep 2010 –Knox Historical Society
Lilydale & Monbulk Post1987-1988Lilydale Historical Society
Lillydale & Yarra Valley Express1987-May 2001, 1978-1982Healesville, Lilydale Historical Society
Lilydale & Yarra Valley LeaderMay 2001-Healesville, Lilydale (hold 1 week)
Lilydale Express1886-1920 (microfilm), Jul 1968-Dec 1969, 1972-1973Lilydale Historical Society
Lilydale Shire Express1974-1976 (June)Lilydale Historical Society
Maroondah JournalOct 1999-Ringwood Historical Society
Maroondah LeaderMay 2001-Ringwood Historical Society
Maroondah Mail1961-1964, May 1996-Apr. 20Croydon, Ringwood Historical Society
Maroondah Post1995-Sept 1999Ringwood Historical Society
Monbulk Post1980-1982Lilydale Historical Society
Mountain Views1979-July 1999Healesville
Mountain Views MailJuly 1999-Healesville, Lilydale (hold 1 week)
MounteasterlyJuly 1980-Dec 1982Knox Historical Society
Ranges LeaderMay 2001-June 2002Knox Historical Society
Ranges Trader MailJan 2003-Knox Historical Society
Ringwood-Croydon Gazette1973- 1975Ringwood Historical Society
Ringwood-Croydon Mail1968-1983, 1969-1984Ringwood Historical Society, Croydon
Ringwood Gazette1970 & 1972Ringwood Historical Society
Ringwood Mail1958-1967, 1984-Apr 1996Ringwood Historical Society
Ringwood Post1989-1994Ringwood Historical Society
Rowville Lysterfield Community NewsAllRowville Library
Upper Yarra Guardian Mail1998-July 1999Yarra Junction
Upper Yarra MailSep 1987-1994, Jul 1999-Yarra Junction
Yarra Ranges JournalOct 1999- (unbound)Knox Historical Society (last 6 months)
Yarra Valley Express: see Lillydale & Yarra Valley Express  
Yarra Valley Guardian Mail1995 – Nov 1997Yarra Junction
Yarra Valley NewsJan-Jun 1975, 1977-1978Healesville

Special Collections

Your Library offers several special interest collections around the region.

Browse the items below to learn more about our collections and how to access them.

The Adult Literacy Collection is housed at Boronia and Realm Libraries. It includes books on grammar, spelling, and arithmetic, as well as novels for those learning to read.

Browse the collection here.

Board games are available for loan from the following branches: Boronia, Croydon and Realm.

Members may borrow up to 2 board games at a time. The collection is searchable via the catalogue and items may be reserved by members at no charge.

Most library branches carry Choice Magazine, including back issues lasting up to 2 years. View the collection, and place reservations, here.

Or, access Choice online using a Library PC. Enjoy full, 100% free access to every Choice review and product comparison. Please ask library staff for login information. Book a Library PC here.

The Dementia Care Collection is designed for people living with dementia and their carers.

The collection features a range of materials like photobooks, puzzles, tools, and other objects designed to provide stimulation and keep the mind active. These materials help people living with dementia find pleasure and relaxation by offering valuable and varied mental stimulus.

Items may be borrowed like any other library item (3-week loan period, with two renewals). However, items must be reserved; library members can browse the collection here.

For more information, please contact Realm Library, or visit this page.

Children receive messages about gender everyday through behaviours, images, written and spoken words at home, at school and in other settings. Beyond Sparkles and Superheroes is a special book list that features children’s picture books themed on gender equality and equity. These picture books present child characters in a way that challenges gender stereotypes.

See the full list here.

These are just a sample of books available on the theme of gender equality or gender equity. They have been chosen because they are both enjoyable stories to read with your child and because they represent a range of approaches to the topic of gender equity.

Stories and books are a powerful learning tool for our children. Stories that depict children participating in a wide range of positive and diverse activities expands their horizons of what is possible. Stories Beyond Stereotypes features real and imaginary characters who follow their own path, unconstrained by gender stereotypes.

See the full list here.

A collection of books aimed at primary school children featuring real and imaginary characters who follow their own path, unconstrained by gender stereotypes.

Stories and books are a powerful learning tool for our children and stories that depict children participating in a wide range of positive and diverse activities expands their horizons of what is possible. The booklist has been collated to complement other books and traditional stories already available for our members.

Your Library collects adult fiction and non-fiction, junior material, magazines and newspapers in other languages. The collections are situated at the following branches, with the demographics of the local population in mind.

 

BRANCH →

LANGUAGE ↓

BAYSWATERCROYDONKNOX EXPRESSREALMROWVILLE
ChineseAdult Fiction & Non-Fiction
Junior Fiction & Non-Fiction
Teenage Fiction
DVDs
CDs
Adult Fiction & Non-Fiction
DVDs
Junior Fiction & Non-Fiction
Junior Picture Books
Adult Fiction & Non-Fiction
Junior Fiction & Non-Fiction
DVDs
CDs
Newspapers (China Melbourne Daily)
Adult Fiction & Non-Fiction
CDs
DVDs
Junior Fiction
Junior Picture Books
Adult Fiction & Non-Fiction
DVDs
Newspapers (China Melbourne Daily)
French  Junior Fiction  
German  Junior Fiction  
Italian  Junior Fiction  
Japanese  Junior Fiction  
Spanish  Junior Fiction  
Vietnamese  Junior Fiction
  

If your first language is not listed here, there may be a collection housed at a nearby library belonging to another library service. Public Libraries Victoria maintains this list of LOTE Collections in Victorian public libraries.

The University of Melbourne and Monash University also produce and maintain this comprehensive list of Asian Collections at public and university libraries in Victoria.

A collection of music scores is available for loan at Belgrave and Croydon Libraries. The collection covers a range of popular and classical music. The collection is fully searchable and items may be reserved by members at no charge.

See the full list here.

Your Library holds many local and national newspapers, including digital access. See the full list here.

The C-Pen ReaderPen is a brilliant literacy tool. It scans and reads written text out loud with natural speaking voices; stores text for later; and can look up and explain the meaning of words.

The ReaderPen converts printed text to speech and can help people with a range of difficulties including:
 
  • Dyslexia
  • Aphasia
  • Dementia
  • Down Syndrome
  • Vision Impairment

Hear the words through earphones, the built-in speaker, or plug in an external speaker if required.

Learn more, and reserve your ReaderPen, here.

The Seed Library is a free borrowing service aiming to cultivate a thriving community of gardeners and seed savers, while building and sharing knowledge, and fostering community resilience, self-reliance, and a culture of sharing.

You can donate seeds saved from your garden or leftover seeds from purchased packets. Just drop them in to any of our libraries.

Members can borrow up to 3 packets of seed for free! Plant/Grow the seeds in your garden, nurture plants to maturity and donate seed back to the library.

The Seed Library is currently available at Belgrave, Boronia, Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Rowville and Yarra Junction Libraries.

Console video games are available for loan from the following branches: Belgrave, Croydon, Realm and Rowville (but they can be reserved for collection from any branch). Games are available for every major console. Members may borrow up to 2 console video games at a time.

Search and reserve games here.