Collections

Large print books and audio/talking books for adults and children are available in all libraries, including fiction, non-fiction and biographies. Children’s books are available in a special font to assist readers with dyslexia. Items can be reserved and collected from any branch.

Hornsby and Pennant Hills libraries have a large Chinese collection including books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs and CDs, and smaller collections in Korean. Books in other languages can be borrowed from the State Library of New South Wales. Contact your library for more information about this service.

The Dementia Friendly collection is a list of items that may be suitable for people living with dementia. You can use this suggested list as a springboard or supplement to items of interest for yourself, or for the person you are borrowing for. Please ask library staff for help finding resources specifically for your needs.

Create, discover, and play! A range of STEAM devices and kits available for baking, construction, crafting, education, games, puzzles, robotics, technology. Items can be reserved and collected from any branch. Items must be borrowed on an adults’ card.

• Books and booklets addressing issues surrounding drug and alcohol use, including how to talk to your children about alcohol and drugs; information about recreational drugs and their effects; non-medical use of prescribed drugs; alcohol guidelines and how to cope with a drinking problem; and where to go for help and support.
• Drug Info Website provides information on drugs in community languages, for young people, parents and carers, and how to get help. Drug Info is a partnership between the NSW Ministry of Health and the State Library of NSW.

The elibrary includes eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and newspapers, movies and documentaries, and research databases. They can be accessed from your PC or smart device, or in the library. Library membership is required to access these resources.

The Family History collection at Hornsby Library contains a range of resources for researching your ancestry ncluding books, local newspapers, shipping records, nation-wide data from Births, Deaths and Marriages, convict records and much more.

This collection can be used only in Hornsby Library and is not available for loan. Duplicate copies of some items may be found in the main lending collection.

All our libraries hold the Legal Tool Kit which provides comprehensive legal information in easy-to-understand language; the Law Books for Libraries series of current legal reference books in plain language, and a series of plain language pamphlets on a variety of legal topics.

Find LEGAL answers provides information on popular legal topics, the Legal Tool Kit online, and where to go for free legal advice and assistance. Find Legal Answers is a service coordinated by the Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC) at the State Library of NSW, giving the public access to legal information through their local library.

Adult literacy resources to support learning to read and speak English, include graded readers with CDs, simplified and abridged versions of popular books, book and tape kits designed to improve reading, speaking, writing and listening skills. These resources are held at Hornsby library and can be transferred to any branch library on request.

Children’s literacy resources to support beginner readers include board books, easy readers, and simple chapter books. These resources can be found at all our libraries.

The Local Studies Collection at Hornsby Library includes a vast array of resources about the people, places, and organisations of Hornsby Shire and the surrounding region including books, photographs, newspapers, maps and plans, Council reports, and archival material.

This collection can be used only in Hornsby Library and is not available for loan. Duplicate copies of some items may be found in the main lending collection.

Local Studies staff are available to help with research during office hours Monday to Friday. To make an appointment phone 9847 6807.

• Save Power Kit - Contains a Power-Mate Lite energy meter. The meter measures how much power appliances use. You can use this information to create a plan to reduce your energy bill.
• Thermal Camera – A thermal camera uses infrared light to detect variations of heat energy, such as air draughts, poor insulation, and leaks. You can use this information to create a plan to address issues before they become more serious.

These devices can be reserved and collected from any branch. Items must be borrowed on an adults' card.

For other energy saving information, check Council's tips to save electricity or visit the NSW Government's energy saving ideas.