Hornsby Shire Libraries

Hornsby Shire Libraries Hornsby Shire Libraries has four libraries in Hornsby, Berowra, Galston and Pennant Hills.

📚 That’s a wrap on Children’s Book Week 2026! 🐸 🥦 Last week Hornsby Shire Libraries celebrated a 'Symphony of Stories', ...
01/09/2026

📚 That’s a wrap on Children’s Book Week 2026! 🐸 🥦
Last week Hornsby Shire Libraries celebrated a 'Symphony of Stories', the theme for Children's Book Week 2026. Our storytellers put on a joyful and energetic Storytime, thank you to all the families who joined us, we loved hearing everyone's beautiful voices in singing and reading along.

Books read by our wonderful Librarians include:
🥦 DEAR BROCCOLI, written by Jo Dabrowski and illustrated by Cate James
🐸 FROGS ARE OUR FRIENDS, written by Toni D'Alia and illustrated by Madeline White
🧹ROOM ON THE BROOM, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler

We have a range of the shortlisted books in our catalogue - drop in to pick up one of these colourful books (costumes not included!), or head to our website to reserve a copy today.

FAMILY HISTORY MONTH 🌳 📰 🔍 | This August, we celebrated Family History Month with two special events held at the library...
31/08/2026

FAMILY HISTORY MONTH 🌳 📰 🔍 | This August, we celebrated Family History Month with two special events held at the library.

We were delighted to have genealogist Jill Ball speak at our beginners' event, where she shared many tips and resources on how to get started with family history research.

We also had the pleasure of hosting the National Library of Australia at our second event, an online workshop where guest speakers Maddi and Karina showcased the many useful features of the TROVE online research portal.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at these events - we hope that all attendees found inspiration for their family history journeys.

For more information about Hornsby Library's family history resources, visit https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/Library/Catalogue-and-resources/Family-history

Take a look at what’s happening at the library this week... 🧪 The Junior Science Club. Monday 31 August – Monday 21 Sept...
31/08/2026

Take a look at what’s happening at the library this week...

🧪 The Junior Science Club. Monday 31 August – Monday 21 September, 4pm – 5pm. Hornsby Library. $60 for 4-week program, bookings essential.

🧩 Tuesday Chill Zone. Tuesdays in September, 4pm – 5pm. Hornsby Library. Free, bookings essential.

📖 Monthly Book Sale. Friday 4 September – Monday 7 September, during opening hours. Hornsby Library.

🏡 Home Equity Options. Friday 4 September, 2pm – 4pm. Hornsby Library. Free, bookings essential.

👶 Bubs & Books. Check website for session times. Free, bookings not required.


🧸 Toddler Tales. Check website for session times. Free, bookings not required.


📙 Storytime. Check website for session times. Free, bookings not required.


For more information and to book your tickets, head to ↙️

https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/library/using-the-library/events

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD NOW ON PRESSREADER 📰 | Good news! The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review (72 h...
28/08/2026

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD NOW ON PRESSREADER 📰 | Good news! The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review (72 hour embargo) and The Age have recently been added to PressReader. Together with The Australian and The Daily Telegraph, they provide access to Australia’s major daily newspapers. Use your library card to enjoy these titles and more than 7,000 newspapers and magazines from around the world.

👉 To start reading now head to https://www.pressreader.com/catalog and sign in choosing “library or group”

LAST NOW NEXT 📚 | Looking for your next great read? Rhonda has hers lined up! Check out her previous, current and upcomi...
28/08/2026

LAST NOW NEXT 📚 | Looking for your next great read? Rhonda has hers lined up! Check out her previous, current and upcoming picks for a little reading inspiration ✨


📕LAST: THE WARTIME BOOK CLUB by Kate Thompson

An unforgettable story of everyday bravery and resistance and a tribute to the joy of reading and the power of books in our darkest hour.

📗NOW: THE SISTERS OF SERENDIB by Ayesha Inoon

A story of three sisters who are separated as children. Decades later, with so much lost and changed, can they find their way back to each other?

📘NEXT: SCRUBLANDS by Chris Hammer

A gripping Australian crime thriller about a journalist uncovering the truth behind a shocking mass shooting in a drought-stricken outback town.

Our librarians love to talk about the books they are reading, so feel free to come in and ask for a suggestion!

to 1942 when the local postie delivered more than just letters – sometimes even four-gallon drums of petrol.The photo ...
27/08/2026

to 1942 when the local postie delivered more than just letters – sometimes even four-gallon drums of petrol.

The photo shows Roy Childs, Dorothy "Doff" Thorby and two friends posing with the Pennant Hills mail car in Aiken Road, West Pennant Hills (source: Ralph Hawkins).

Doff was part of the Thorby family, whose connection to the local post office spanned more than 50 years. Her father, John W. Thorby became postmaster in 1927 and remained in the role until his death in 1966.

During the 1940s, Doff, the eldest of the Thorby children, helped deliver mail across a 26-mile route on rough dirt roads, six days a week. Alongside Bonnie Frankish, who hopped on and off the running board to deliver letters, newspapers and magazines, she helped provide a vital service to residents across what is now West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook.

Following John’s death, his son Ken Thorby, succeeded him as postmaster for a short time. In 1972, Doff became postmistress and remained in the role until her retirement in 1980.

Today, the post office is located in Thorbys Arcade, a lasting reminder of the family's contribution to the community.

Source: Helen Barker and Patricia Dewey - Pennant Hills: People and Places 1800-2010

Explore more local history with Hornsby Shire Recollects: https://hornsbyshire.recollect.net.au

27/08/2026

DISCOVER YOUR LIBRARY | Final Week to Win! 🎉

There’s so much to discover at Hornsby Shire Libraries!
Our library staff share some of their favourite library finds:
Sharon ❤️ Castle cake pan
Lucy ❤️ Puzzles on the PressReader app
Alyanna ❤️ Book club kits
Jean ❤️ Cricut Joy kit
Sonya ❤️ Games & puzzles

What will your favourite find be? Visit today, explore something new, and don’t miss out on your chance to win a Kobo eReader or a $150 gift card!

Simply visit any Hornsby Shire Library, complete any 4 activities on an entry card, and submit it by Monday 31 August.

For more info👉Discover Your Library and Win | Hornsby Shire Council

27/08/2026

GREEK MYTHS & HEROES 📚🏺🏛️📜 | Can’t get enough of Homer’s Odyssey (or the Iliad)? Do you love A Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller? You might also love these books inspired by Greek mythology! 🏺😍🫶

🏺ITHACA - Claire North (Odyssey retelling)

🏺THE PENELOPIAD by Margaret Atwoodb (Odyssey retelling)

🏺A THOUSAND SHIPS by Natalie Haynes (Iliad retelling)

🏺THE SILENCE OF THE GIRLS by Pat Barker (Iliad retelling)

🏺CLYTEMNESTRA by Costanza Casati

🏺ELEKTRA by Jennifer Saint

What is your favourite novel inspired by ancient Greek mythology? Let us know in the comments below? 🤔

👉 For more books inspired by Greek mythology, head to our catalogue, https://hornsby.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/OPAC/HOME

Our Home Library customers read a wonderful variety of books! 🚐 🏡 📚 Here are some of their top picks from our recent de...
26/08/2026

Our Home Library customers read a wonderful variety of books! 🚐 🏡 📚

Here are some of their top picks from our recent deliveries:

📚 Anne recently had her great-grandchildren come to visit and wondered if she could have some books to read with them. We brought some picture books and Anne had a lovely time reading aloud with her family. They particularly enjoyed WHATEVER WILL BE BILBY by Sharon Rae, about a little bilby who finds a way to survive in the harsh Australian outback.

📚 Susan was entranced by Robert Harris's historical fiction thriller AN OFFICER AND A SPY, set in late nineteenth century France. Susan said: "The way that Harris takes an actual event and weaves a fascinating story around it is incredible, masterful storytelling, exciting to the very last page".

📚 Cecile was moved by Dr Damien Brown’s memoir BUSH DOCTOR, which tells of his experiences working as a doctor in the Northern Territory. It looks at serious issues while also being an entertaining read.

📚 Lynne loved THE JAM MAKER by Mary Lou Stephens, an exciting tale of deception set in the jam industry in Tasmania in the late 1800s.

📚 Valerie enjoys historical novels set prior to the 20th century. She recently read THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN by Australian-born writer Kate Morton. Valerie said it was a wonderful book that engrossed her for days.

📚 David loved celebrity chef Rick Stein's recipe book, RICK STEIN'S INDIA, particularly the wonderful photographs. The book ties in with Stein's TV show of the same name which explores the delicious food that can be found in the many regions of India.

Our Home Library service is free for Hornsby Shire residents who have difficulty visiting the library due to being frail aged, restricted by disability or illness, or have caring responsibilities. All new members are contacted by our friendly Home Library team to discuss what they like to read, watch, or listen to.

Visit our website to learn more about the service and find out if it is right for you or a loved one. ↙️

https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/Library/Branches-and-membership/Facilities-and-services/Home-Library-Service

26/08/2026

🐶 🐾 Meet the VIPs (Very Important Pups) of our Library team! To celebrate this year’s International Dog Day, our Library team is delighted to introduce some furry friends who have helped us fetch some great reading recommendations! 📚🐾

Borow them today - http://hornsby.spydus.com/

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