The Law Handbook

The Law Handbook Your practical guide to the law in New South Wales, 11th edition is now at the library. It provides extensive coverage of NSW law and is regarded as the best starting point for most legal information enquiries. Aimed at the the lay person it is written in easy to understand plain English. Reference copies at both Hurstville Central Libray and Penshurst Branch Library can be found in the Find Legal Answers Tool Kit. Ask for assistance at the Information Desk. Copies are also available for loan, browse at the 349.9441/LAW number in the non-fiction collection.

New music releases for free

We've just added some more music releases for our members to borrow for free. With a mix of Australian and international artist be sure to come in and visit us. New albums in the collection include;

Cosmic egg by Wolfmother
Like it like that by Guy Sebastian

Drown in colour by Red Riders
Ragged and ecstatic by Yves Klein Blue
Head of the hawk by Bluejuice
A brief history of love by The Big Pink

For popular titles you can place a reservation via our online catalogue. A great way to ensure you can pick up and listen to the latest albums for free.

Ignorance - bliss or prejudice?

The expression ignorance is bliss is taken to mean that what we don’t know cannot hurt or affect us. Having just read M.E.Kerr’s latest novel for teenagers ‘Someone like summer", I am reminded that often not knowing is an excuse to continue to be prejudiced. This novel explores the relationship between a rich Long Island teenager and a migrant worker from South America. She has no idea of the sort of life he is trying to escape from, his need to provide for mother, sisters, brothers, the whole extended family, as she tries to make him acceptable to her family. Needless to say the attitude of her father and the community to the migrant workers smacks of the U.S. in the sixties.
The attitude of the U.S. government to illegal migrants is even more astonishing – a free green card if you go to fight in Iran!
It would seem that the average U.S. citizen cares little for the plight of non-U.S. citizens and as shown at the end of the novel, even less regard for their own citizens as Cyclone Katina sweeps into the Gulf of Mexico.

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland trailer

Tim Burton and Alice in Wonderland. Sounds like this could be interesting and with a lovely dark twist. That said we are talking a Walt Disney Pictures so it could turn out really bland. As with many 'epic' films of late, this will be located in the 3D fantasy adventure section of your local cinema.

Australian internet filter is given green light

The Australian Government looks to continue on the path towards implementing its controversial Internet censorship . See ABC news Green light for Internet filter plans for more detailed view of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy plans. He is quoted as saying

The Government believes that parents want assistance to reduce the risk of children being exposed to such material.

This is an interesting statement. Who is responsible for raising children? Certainly the Internet is a medium that requires active participation by parents to moderate content viewing. But what duty of care does the government or any organisation have in the moderation and censorship of a medium like the Internet? Certainly, libraries have faced these issues before. As information resources, how do we ensure content available is appropriate for particular ages but at the same time not censor information.

Puffin Books anniversary exhibition

2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the well known children's book publisher Puffin Books. Puffin Books has been committed to making children into book readers since 1939 when it published its first book 'Worzel Gummidge'.



To celebrate this occassion Books Illustrated are designing a travelling photographic and object based exhibition. Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery are considering hosting this exhibition in 2011. As we are in the early planning stages we want to know what our visitors favourite Puffin books are.



Some staff favourites include:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• Charlie and Lola
• Spot books
• The BFG
• Who Sank the Boat

What are your favourite books in the Puffin range? Perhaps they are books you read as a child, stories you have passed on to friends or family members they may even be books you have only just discovered.

Making Tracks: 125 years of rail transport at Hurstville

Image: 'Hurstville War memorials, soldiers memorial. Hurstville railway station 1930's'.
Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery collection



Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery is currently hosting a fantastic photographic exhibition that documents the history of Hurstville Railway which is now celebrating its 125th year of service to the local community.

The exhibition includes images of the railways construction, early days of operation and even features photographs from the St George Great Train festivals held in the 1980s.
Items from Hurstville City Museum & Gallery’s collection are also on display in Hurstville Library's exhibition area.


Visit our online exhibition 'Making Tracks: 125 years of rail transport at Hurstville'.

Share your experiences of Hurstville's railway below...

What is the future of the library?

This video, by Guy Adam Ailion, asks some questions about the future of your library and in doing so, hints at some new directions.

What do you think is the future direction of your local library?

Computer classes at Hurstville City Library

Click and Learn @ Hurstville City Library! Bookings are now being taken for computer classes in a range of subjects at Hurstville City Library. For times, dates and to make a booking, please visit our website.

Like Australian Hip-Hop? Tell us who you listen to

At Hurstville City Library, Museum and Gallery we have a couple of Australian Hip-Hop releases available for loan (for free!). But we are always looking to support local and Australian artists within our collection. So comment below to let us know what your favourite release of 2009 have been.

Living on the Water's Edge: Memories of St George

Living on the Water’s Edge: Stories of St George is a permanent exhibition that explores the St George district’s development and celebrates its achievements. This virtual component of the exhibition highlights a few memorable objects from the exhibition allowing you to record your memories of these items and the history of our district.

Image: 'Bathing Belles East Hills c.1930s'. Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery collection

Visit our online exhibition 'Living on the Water's Edge: Memories of St George'. Record your memories of St George below...

Mystery artefact # 2...What am I?

What am I made from?
What was I used for?
How old am I?

Pretend to be a museum curator and let us know what you think!

Great favourite kids books

"The very hungry caterpillar" is celebrating it's 40th birthday this year and Eric Carle the author/Illustrator is a great author that trancends all kids age groups. His range of titles in baby board books 0-3 introduces colour, animals and shape. His preschool books are now available in different presentation formats such as a new pop-up version of "The very hungry caterpillar" for the 40th anniversary. My particular favourite is "Papa please get the moon for me" which deals with all the different phases of the moon and a little girl who wants to dance and play with the moon (and she does).

What am I?...Mystery artefact

What am I...? Do you know what this 'mystery' collection item is?
Help us out by leaving a suggestion...

Seniors' Services

Are you a Senior? What can we do for you?
Book suggestions, Books on CD, Large Print, Author talks?
Let us know your suggestions.

What is your favourite book, movie or CD of all time?

What is your favourite kids book?

Wartime Love Story

Do you know these soliders?

Following a recent call to residents for war memorabilia, the Museum was delighted to receive a photo album dating from 1942. The story behind this album and the people featured in it are sketchy.

Here's what we know:
The album contains photographs of the young soldier John Campbell and his mates ‘Andy’ and ‘Aussie’ during their recourse in North Africa. Lovingly put together, the album is dedicated “to Joan” undoubtedly John’s sweetheart.

The album’s donor, Narwee resident Betty Wallace, received the album from long time friend Joyce Waring. Joyce lived in Balmain and was the neighbour of Joan Perry – could this be the ‘Joan’ that the photo album was dedicated to? As best as Joyce can recollect John and Joan were married and moved to Milperra but alas this is where the information ends.

Help us solve the mystery!

The museum would love to find out more information about the characters and personal stories that are contained in this album.

Can you recognise any of these people featured in the photo? Are the names Campbell or Perry familiar to you? If so, contact David White at the Museum on 9330 6443. The photo album and its history form part of an education program for high school students - St George and the World at War.