Library Collections and Suggestions

Adult Fiction: Novels featuring mature, complex plots and characters, in-depth emotional or intellectual themes. Various genres, no restriction on content. Stickered fiction genres include Aboriginal, Australian, Classic, Crime/Mystery, Family, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Humour, Movie tie-in, Relationships, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Spy, Thriller, War and Western.

Adult Graphic Novels: This format is book length fiction or non-fiction stories with text and sequential illustrations arranged in panels. Includes visual language of comic books but with deeper, longer more complex stories.

Adult Large Print: Collection contains same content as adult fiction and adult non-fiction books, with significantly larger text, typically 16-18 point font. Designed for accessibility for readers with visual impairments, and seniors. 

Adult Non-Fiction: Factual in-depth narrative or specialised knowledge literature written for mature audiences. Cover topics such of history, biography, true-crime, sciences, cooking, self-development.

Adult Paperbacks: Adult fiction and non-fiction in paperback format. Same content as adult fiction and non-fiction. Lightweight, soft-cover, small and portable, ideal for travel reading.

Stack Collections: Items kept in stack include fiction and non-fiction titles, including out of print titles that cannot be replaced. These titles can be collected for loan by asking library staff. 

DVD Collection: DVD collection includes Documentary, Junior, Movies, Performance, TV Series, World Movies, music, Adult non-fiction, and Young Adult.

Audiobook Collection: MP3 and CD adult fiction and non-fiction titles on physical disc. Adult, Young Adult and Junior collections each have audiobooks.

Music: CD format includes Classical, Jazz, Middle of the Road, Opera, Rock and World Music collections.

Community Languages: Includes fiction, non-fiction and children’s titles, written in various languages other than English. These items are borrowed on rotation from the NSW State Library and include Asian, European, Middle Eastern, Nordic and Slavic languages.

Chinese Collection: Adult and Junior publications written in Chinese, including fiction, non-fiction and magazines. 

Japanese Collection: Adult and Junior publications written in Japanese, including fiction and non-fiction.

Spanish Collection: Adult and Junior publications written in Spanish, including fiction and non-fiction.

Discovery Collection: Hands-on, educational, and interactive learning kits designed for children ages 5+ to adults. Childrens kits are designed to encourage STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning through play, experimentation and curiosity. Adult kits are selected to promote creative skills development and engagement for adults, along with technological assistance in specific tasks. 

eAudio: Libby, Borrowbox and Indi-Reads are the main digital platforms of fiction and non-fiction audiobooks accessible 24/7 on borrower’s device.

 eBooks: Libby, Borrowbox and Indi-Reads are the main digital platforms of adult fiction and non-fiction books accessible 24/7 on borrower’s device.

eMagazines: Libby 

ePress: Borrowbox holds simultaneous access to multiple newspaper titles. These titles are available daily, weekly or monthly when new editions are published. ePress titles can be set to automatically borrow the next issue within the Borrowbox app.

Fast Reads and Fast Flicks: Designed for high-turnover, popular, and easy-to-consume materials. This collection allows patrons to borrow the latest bestsellers or blockbusters immediately, without waiting in long reservation queues. Fast items can only be borrowed for 7 days, and cannot be reserved.

HSC books: Specialised, curriculum-aligned resources designed for NSW Higher School Certificate students, including study guides, prescribed English texts, past exam papers, and revision notes.

Early Concept Books: Designed for preschoolers introducing foundational learning concepts through fiction and non-fiction picture books aiming to foster early literacy, and emotional development. Includes specific themes such as Aboriginal culture, Additional needs, Art, Behaviour, Culture, Emotions, Environment, Families, Health, History, Identity, Safety, School and Friendship, Science, Travel, Vehicles and World Issues.

Early Fiction and Early Paperback: Designed for young readers transitioning from early readers and picture books to independent chapter books typically for ages 6 to 8 years.

Junior Audio Books: Spoken-word recordings of Junior Fiction designed for children and young teens. Formats include MP3s and CDs.

Junior Board Books: Foster early literacy with durable, thick-cardboard books designed for infants and toddlers ages 0–3. These items can withstand rough handling, chewing and dropping.

Junior Chinese Books: This collection includes board books, graded readers, picture books, and non-fiction in both simplified and traditional Chinese characters.

Junior DVD: Selection of audio-visual DVDs for children and young teenagers, covering ages 0 to 12. This collection aim to provide entertainment and educational content, featuring G and PG-rated movies.

Junior Fiction and Junior Paperbacks: Features independent reading books, including chapter books, series, and popular fiction, typically for ages 6–12. 

Junior Kits: Picture books with accompanying CDs to be listed to while reading the book. Includes both music and audio narration. 

Junior Magazines: Age-appropriate magazines designed for children and young teenagers, typically ages 6–14. Collections feature, educational, hobby, and popular culture topics.

Junior Non-Fiction: Informational, factual, and educational books for children from ages 3 to 12, focusing on high-interest topics like animals, science, history, and hobbies. Supports school curriculum, homework, and personal curiosity, often featuring engaging visuals.

Junior Picture Books: Illustrated paperback and hardcover books with minimal text covering fictional stories designed to engage and entertain younger audiences. 

Junior Readers: Designed for children transitioning from picture books to independent reading. Contain simple vocabulary and high illustration to text ratio.

Parenting Books: Informative resources, found in Junior Section, designed to support parents and caregivers with children aged 0-18. Cover topics such as pregnancy, sleep, nutrition, discipline, and emotional development.

PRC Premiers Reading Challenge Books K-2, 3-4 and 5-6: High-quality book collections designed to encourage reading for pleasure, refreshed annually with new, award-winning, and Australian titles. Include fiction, non-fiction, and picture books.

Sensory Collection: This collection includes specialized and interactive titles including board books, Braille, Dyslexic font and VOX Audio books. Items feature tactile, visual processing or sound-based elements.

Stack Collections: Items kept in the library stack including Christmas books, Easter books, Halloween books, and Lunar New Year books.

Seed Library: Collection of free seeds and resources to allow members to borrow, grow, and save seeds for flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Foster biodiversity, encourage sustainable gardening, and build local, climate-adapted food systems. Once plants have been grown and flowered seeds from the plant can be donated back to the library.

Learn English: Factual books designed for mature language acquisition or to improve language skills, vocabulary and fluency in English. This collection is for learners of English as a second-language or English speakers improving their English literacy skills.

Local History: Lane Cove Library holds a wide range of current and historical resources about Lane Cove, including books, serials, newspapers, maps, photographs, artworks, oral histories, family papers, rate/valuation books, and Council and Community archives. Local History collections are not-for-loan and only available to be used in the Local Studies department. Staff can provide assistance on specific information requests.

Local History Donations: Donations of both historical and contemporary material relating to Lane Cove are always welcome. Photographs of local places and identities can be lent to the library to copy and include in the collection.

Local History eResources: Search the library catalogue for historical images of Lane Cove, view the council artwork collection, explore the Lane Cove: On the Street where you Live! online resource, and access Ancestry.com Library Edition, Find my Past and the British Newspaper Archive databases.

Local History Publications: The library has a range of books and maps for sale about the local area, famous residents, and local organisations.

Magazines: Broad range of magazines including national and international publications. Titles focus on lifestyle, information, specialty knowledge, or leisure. The latest issue is available not-for-loan at the library until a new issue is published.

Reference collection: Includes essential textbooks, encyclopedias, government publications, and vocabulary support materials. Reference items cannot be loaned and must be used within the library.

PRC Premiers Reading Challenge Books 7-9 and 9+: High-quality book collections designed to encourage reading for pleasure, refreshed annually with new, award-winning, and Australian titles. Include fiction, non-fiction, and picture books.

Young Adult Audiobook Collection: MP3 and CD Young adult fiction on physical disc.

Young Adult Fiction and Paperbacks: Novels focusing on teenage protagonists (12-18 years) of various genres. Stickered genres include Australian, Classic, Dystopia, family, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Humour, Paranormal, Romance, Science-fiction, Short Stories, Thriller and War. 

Young Adult Graphic Novels: This format is book length fiction or non-fiction stories with text and sequential illustrations arranged in panels. Includes the visual language of comic books but with deeper, longer more complex stories