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Collections and Digital Resources

Collections and Digital Resources

You’ll find on this page:

Our Library Service provides free access to a wide range of digital and physical resources. These include eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, learning tools, and more—available to all members.

For Adults

Explore a variety of adult fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels, featuring both Australian and international authors. Enjoy films, TV shows, music, and magazines on diverse topics. For easier reading, check out our large print books and audiobooks in CD and MP3-CD formats.

Discover a wide variety of titles, including thousands of popular fiction books by both Australian and international authors. Our non-fiction collection offers resources to support lifelong learning and personal interests, while our graphic novels provide visual-based storytelling for mature audiences.

Enjoy a diverse selection of film and television releases on DVD and Blu-ray, alongside music CDs spanning a variety of genres from around the world. We also offer print magazines on topics like history, cooking, lifestyle, entertainment, and art.

Our large print collection includes popular titles from both Australian and international authors in a variety of genres, all presented in a larger, easy-to-read format. Plus, check out our audiobooks, available in traditional CD format and MP3-CD format for modern devices.

For Teens

Our teen collection offers content and formats of interest to upper primary and high school aged youths. Here you'll find appropriately aged books, graphic novels and Nintendo Switch games.

For readers aged 13–18, with more mature themes and formats.

Age-appropriate non-book collections for teens.

For Children

Our children’s collections offer something for every pre-teen age and reading style—from early literacy tools and visual stories to paperbacks and graphic novels. You’ll also find accessible formats like audiobooks, dyslexic-friendly titles, and music, movies and Nintendo Switch games to enjoy at home.

This section offers a variety of books for young readers, from phonics-based readers to visual stories, as well as longer fiction and non-fiction titles. These collections help children of different ages develop literacy skills through engaging content.

Ideal for independent readers aged 5–11, including fiction, non-fiction, and visual formats.

This collection includes children’s DVDs, audiobooks on CD, and music CDs—perfect for enjoying stories, shows, and songs in different ways at home or on the go.

Digital Collection

Enjoy eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, music, and more on your favourite device. These easy-to-use apps are free with your library card and give you access to thousands of titles anytime, anywhere.

Borrow a wide range of eMagazines, eBooks, and eAudiobooks including fiction, non-fiction, children's, and graphic novels. Libby is compatible with a wide range of devices.

This service includes free iOS, Android & Windows apps.

To sign into Libby, choose South Australian Public Library Network as your library and then enter in your Library Card Number and PIN.

BorrowBox is an easy-to-use platform for selecting and downloading eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines to your PC and mobile devices. It offers a wide selection of titles, including the latest releases, best sellers, and many Australian titles.

To sign into BorrowBox, choose Holdfast Bay Library Service as your library and then enter in your Library Card Number and PIN.

Please note, we will no longer be providing access to Hoopla from 30 September 2025 onwards. This decision has been made to allocate greater resources to our other digital collections. Patrons who have existing loans on Hoopla that extend past this date will still be able to access their items until the normal expiry dates are reached.

Hoopla allows you to borrow and enjoy audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV shows, magazines, and music. Most titles can be downloaded to your phone and tablet, so you can stream them immediately.

More Digital Resources

From storytime videos and book reviews to online courses and driving test prep, these handy digital tools are free with your library card. Just log in and start exploring, wherever you are!

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, the world's proven English language test. Road to IELTS provides access to free online self-study materials to help you with IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic test preparation.

This is a great tool for those studying for their learners' permit in South Australia. Aussie-Driver enables you to practice with free learners tests for driving in South Australia.

LinkedIn Learning is a user-friendly, self-paced online training resource that offers expertly presented training courses on a wide range of topics.

To access LinkedIn Learning for web, iOS or Android, click on the relevant link below and log on using your library card number and PIN. If you are prompted for a library ID when accessing the iOS or Android version, enter 'sapln'.

Good Reading Online is an Australian magazine and website that helps book lovers, school and library staff, and students discover great reads. It features book reviews, author interviews, and the latest titles for adults, young adults and kids.

Special Collections

Beyond books, our libraries offer a wide range of hands-on resources and collections to support learning, play, and discovery. From sports equipment and tech tools to language resources, sensory kits, and video games, there’s something here for every age and interest. Whether you’re developing literacy, exploring local history, or simply looking for fun, these special collections are designed to further enrich your library experience.

Toy Collection

Our toy collection is full of fun, educational, and tactile resources designed to support early learning and play. From colourful puzzles and matching games to imaginative role-play sets and sensory toys, there’s something for every curious little mind. Perfect for families looking to borrow engaging, screen-free activities for home.

Do I need to pay for a toy library membership? No, the toy collection is completely free for you to access with your regular library membership!

Where to borrow and return? Available at Glenelg and Brighton Libraries. Return to the library you borrowed from.

Loan period: 2 weeks

How many items can I borrow? You can borrow up to 2 toys items at a time.

Can I put toys on hold? No holds can be placed. Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sports Equipment Collection

Looking for something fun to do after school or during the holidays? Glenelg Library now has a special collection of sports equipment for families to enjoy!

You’ll find everything from soccer and rugby balls to complete sets for group games like cricket and lawn bowls — perfect for a bit of active fun.

Where to borrow and return? Sports equipment is available only at Glenelg Library. Items must be borrowed from and returned to this location.

Loan period: 1 week

How many items can I borrow? You can borrow up to 2 sports items at a time, separate from toys or other library materials.

Can I put sports equipment on hold? No holds can be placed. Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sensory Kits

We’re excited to introduce Sensory Kits, now available to borrow from Brighton Library! These kits provide a fun and engaging way to develop fine motor skills while enjoying sensory play. Each kit is themed—dinosaurs, under the Sea, and Space—and includes interactive materials designed for hands-on exploration. Our Sensory Kits are also disability-accessible, featuring easy-read books to support individuals with intellectual disabilities or low literacy levels. Please keep in mind that small parts in these kits are only appropriate for children 3 years old and older.

What’s included? Three themed kits with interactive sensory materials.
Loan period: 2 weeks
Where to borrow? Available exclusively at Brighton Library.
How many items can I borrow? You can swap one toy for a sensory kit within your two-item toy limit.
Are there more kits coming? We have a few in the pipeline—stay tuned!

Words Grow Minds Kits

Words Grow Minds Literacy Kits are available to borrow from Brighton and Glenelg Library. These carefully developed, high-quality resources aim to boost literacy in young children. Based on the four Words Grow Minds principles of Read, Talk, Play, and Sing, each kit includes a variety of themed activities. Small parts in these kits are only suitable for children 3 years and older.

What’s included? Each themed kit includes books, talking cards, a learning toy, shaker eggs and a QR code to a themed Spotify playlist.
What are the themes? There are 15 themed kits: Transport, Animals, Numbers, Music, Food, Science and technology, Feelings and emotions, Beach, Nature, Dinosaurs, Starting School, Sea Creatures, When I Grow Up, Sport, and My Body.
Loan period: 2 weeks
Where to borrow? Available at Brighton and Glenelg Library.
How many items can I borrow? You can swap one toy for a Words Grow Minds kit within your two-item toy limit.

STEM Collection

Our STEM Collection for children is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking from an early age. We aim to support young learners in exploring the world around them and developing skills that are essential for the future through science, technology, engineering and mathematics. If you're browsing in our children's areas, look for the STEM Collection sticker on relevant titles.

Australian Space Agency Kits

Through kind donation by the Australian Space Agency we are proud to present our Australian Space Agency Kits! Learn about the role that rovers play in space exploration as well as the engineering behind their design in this fun, interactive play set.

What’s included? Each kit includes a guidebook, remote control lunar rover and play mat.
What is the STEM focus? Space and robotics.
Loan period: 2 weeks
Where to borrow? Available at Brighton and Glenelg Library.
How many items can I borrow? You can swap one toy for an Australian Space Agency Kit within your two-item toy limit.

Reader pens are a portable tool designed to assist with independent reading and literacy. Simply scan text with this device to have words read aloud in natural-sounding voices. The pens also have an in-built dictionary. These pens are only available for Holdfast Bay library members to borrow.

ESL, IELTS

If you're studying English as a second language or preparing for the IELTS tests, we offer a variety of helpful titles. Additionally, we provide a selection of short fiction and non-fiction books in simplified English to enhance your learning experience. You can also access the Road to IELTS test preparation platform digitally.

Community Languages

We have titles for different reading levels in Japanese, Italian, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.

Local History & Reference Collection

Brighton and Glenelg Libraries both have reference collections with titles on the history of Holdfast Bay and South Australia. For a more comprehensive selection of local history titles, we recommend searching the Holdfast Bay History Centre's collection and contacting the Centre directly for access opportunities.

Ancestry Library Edition

Ancestry Library provides access to various unique resources for genealogical and historical research. Complete a free online registration so that you can build a family tree and save your searches.

Please Note: This resource can only be used in the Library, it can not be used from home or work.

To ensure access to this service, we recommend that you Book a Library PC.

Search our Library Catalogue

Looking for something specific? Search our catalogue below.