Alert

The Children's Quarter, Create Quarter, Hansen Hall and Ian Potter Queen's Hall will be closed on 3 July from 3 to 6 pm for Kids Takeover. Find out more about our school holiday program.

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Children's browsing collection

  • two boys reading sporty kids books at a table
  • three teenagers reading a book

Nourish, delight and surprise curious young minds with our wonderful new Children's browsing collection, housed in the Pauline Gandel Children's Quarter!

Reading for pleasure is an important indicator of the future success of a child. The 4000 titles in the Children's browsing collection are specially selected to appeal to young people – from babies through to tweens – to foster their early love of stories and reading.

What's in the Children's browsing collection

  • books for all ages, from baby's first board book of The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the full set of Harry Potter
  • bi-lingual picture books and books in languages other than English
  • Australian and Victorian books
  • Indigenous writers
  • new and emerging authors
  • books that represent rainbow families and LGBTIQ communities.

Because our books can't leave the Library, you can always find highly sought-after titles to read here!

We recognise that books and kids can be an unpredictable combination. Please don't worry about tidying up or putting books back on the shelves – our librarians will take care of that.

Where to find it

The Children's browsing collection is arranged by age grouping on shelves on the ground floor and mezzanine level of the Pauline Gandel Children's Quarter.

Board books, picture books, non-fiction and junior readers for children aged 0 to 8 are easily reached on the ground floor.

Fiction and non-fiction for kids 8–12 years is on the mezzanine level inside the storybook castle, accessible by stairs or lift.

Browse the catalogue

To find books in the Children's browsing collection, browse our catalogue online.

Pauline Gandel Children's Quarter

The Children's browsing collection is housed in the Pauline Gandel Children's Quarter, supported by Gandel Foundation. It's a free, purpose-built space for children aged up to 12 years (and their parents and carers) to read, learn and play, with an associated program of activities.

The space includes many family-friendly features including pram parking, reading nooks, baby change and toilet facilities, and food and drink permitted for babies and toddlers.

The space also hosts our programs and events for children and families – many of which are free, and don't require booking.

More to explore