Library collections
We welcome feedback or queries on our collections. We use this information to monitor and improve our collections for the benefit of our communities.
Freedom of access to ideas and information
The City of Sydney Library provides opportunities for education, lifelong learning and recreation through free access to information.
Related to Library collections
Published
We believe freedom can be protected in democratic society only if individuals have unrestricted access to information and ideas.
In providing free access to information, our libraries are guided by the national professional organisation for the sector, the Australian Library and Information Association.
We support the association’s free access to information statement.
City of Sydney Library collections
We respond to the needs of our diverse communities by acquiring items among our collections that express a variety of viewpoints and cultural understandings. This allows an unbiased source of ideas.
We value diversity and materials are not excluded from our collections unless they are prohibited by law.
Under the Library Act 1939, the Library Council and the State Library of NSW provide guidance and direction about how we manage our collections. We make our collections available in line with the Library Council’s access to information in NSW public libraries guidelines.
Suggestions for our collections
Library members can submit requests and suggestions to add items to our library collections.
Log in to your City of Sydney Library account and go to ‘Suggest’ or ‘Request’.
Parents and guardians
The City of Sydney Library does not censor its collections, which includes material in print, audiovisual and digital formats.
We support the right and responsibility of parents and guardians to direct and oversee their children’s access and use of our collections.
Australian classification
Our libraries follow the Australian classification guidelines including:
- classification labels
- category 1 publications restricted to borrowers 18 years +
- category 2 publications excluded from the library
- MA15+ DVDs restricted to borrowers 15 years +
- R18+ DVDs restricted to borrowers 18 years +
For more information see what do the ratings mean and how a rating is decided.
Library collections
We welcome feedback or queries on our collections. We use this information to monitor and improve our collections for the benefit of our communities.
