Victorian public libraries change lives by offering communities a place to learn, create and belong.

Libraries Change Lives is a conversation about the value and impact of Victoria’s public libraries, and the role they play in building literate, productive and engaged communities.

Today’s libraries provide a breadth of free, essential services that are highly valued by their communities, and often life changing. Beyond their traditional role of housing collections, libraries provide lifelong opportunities through the delivery of education and creative programs, access to technology and information, accessible community spaces and tailored staff expertise.

Share your story

Libraries Change Lives celebrates the integral role public libraries play in building communities. We’d love to hear your story of how libraries have enriched your life, in a little way or in a big way. From time to time we will share these stories with the wider community through social media, video, photo and posters, let us know if you would prefer we didn’t share your story.

Open

A source of healing

Posted by Lynn |

Following an unexpected diagnosis, surgery & follow up chemotherapy, my local library has featured prominently in the recovery process. Having ready access to books is a truly wonderful escape. Books are like constant companions who wait quietly for the next physical interaction. They fill hours of the day with ideas, emotions & interest, without being physically taxing. Entering any library is a happy & healing experience by providing so many of our physical needs; shelter, comfortable &…

1 Likes

Beaumaris library kept me motivated

Posted by Sam |

A couple of year ago, on a Saturday it was my slice of study time I could get away from the hustle and bustle of my young family. I would arrive as it opened and leave when it closed. I was so appreciative of a quiet, reliable and predictable place to zone out, free from distractions to get my uni work completed. I graduated last year and now studying my masters. Thankyou for always being there, my university studies couldn’t have happened without you!

2 Likes

Meeting Place

Posted by Rowlo |

For fifteen years, Brighton library provided a meeting place for my mother and myself. Four nights a week, about 6 pm, whoever was first to arrive would sit down & read something. Then the other person would arrive either myself from work or my mother from her nanna role to the kids of three local families whose parents also went to work. We sometimes stayed to borrow our books or just browse the papers. Or we left to go home to dinner or somewhere else. On other days, the meeting place offered…

2 Likes

Little Turtle

Posted by gcook71095 |

Little Turtle is not an amphibian but rather a war chief of the Miami Tribe in geography now known as Indiana, USA. A very highly respected Indian leader. So respected that a small public library was named after him. That was my library. From the age of about 5, I loved everything about it. Before I could read I would walk through the stacks and pretend to read the titles of the books on their bindings as I saw the big people do. I would occasionally pick out a book, crack it…

2 Likes

YOUNG FRIENDS

Posted by Jenny |

As an older citizen, I just loved my book group made up of my university friends - but we are all much the same age. So....I decided to find a younger group. This I did at the Brighton Library. What a find! Our leaders are friendly and very hard working. The group has formed a firm bond as we learn from the books we read together and get to hear each other's stories as we go. Brighton Library is so well placed to offer this facility, having the delightful round room which looks onto…

2 Likes