10 reasons to visit the new Green Square Library
The brand new Green Square Library is now open. This innovative underground library is located in Green Square plaza, next to the Green Square train station. The striking design includes a subterranean garden, an open air amphitheatre and a 6-storey glass tower. The main library level includes large open spaces, study desks, public use computers, dedicated children’s area and meeting rooms for hire. In the tower you’ll find a light filled and quiet reading room space.
1. The architecture
The stunning design of this brand new building is set to change the way we think about library spaces. Stewart Hollenstein’s inventive design for an underground library has created a beautiful space to imagine, read and work.
The first thing you’ll see is the impressive glass entry pyramid that leads you down into the main library space. This huge open plan living room is filled with light from a central sunken garden, amphitheatre and large circular skylights.
A striking 6-storey glass tower emerges above the plaza and lights up with pretty colours at night.
2. The baby-grand with views
Up on the 4th floor of the tower, take a seat at the baby-grand piano. With views sweeping over Green Square and a chance to see spectacular sunsets, this would have to be one of the most inspiring spaces for any pianist.
The music room and piano is available for anyone to hire for practice or small rehearsals.
3. Borrow a guitar or keyboard
We’ve got a brand new collection of acoustic, electric and bass guitars you can use for free at Green Square Library.
Get a group together to jam in the music room or enjoy a solo practice.
You can record, compose and perform with virtual instruments using our fun mini-keyboard controllers.
4. Go retro with our classic video game consoles
Long before Candy Crush Saga, there was Donkey Kong, Frogger and Sonic.
If you’re a fan of old school or a video game enthusiast, you’re going to love our collection of classic video game consoles for members to borrow. Pioneered in the 80s and 90s, choose from Atari, Sega, Nintendo and the C64Mini.
All the consoles come pre-loaded with plenty of games, ready to plug and play at home.
5. Borrow a robotic or electronic kit
Inventive and creative minds will love exploring robotics and programming with our take-home makerspace kits. Create instruments with a modular synthesiser kit or turn a banana into a touchpad to play online games. There’s a range of kits for ages 5+.
6. Get comfy with a book in the reading room
If you’re looking for a quiet place to escape with your latest novel, head to the light-filled reading room in the tower. We’ve given our weeded books a second life to create a pretty art installation on the shelves.
You’re welcome to pick a book at random or bring your own from the library downstairs.
With views over plaza and plenty of armchairs and beanbags to relax in, you may never want to leave.
7. Room for the kids to run and play
Kids have their own dedicated space inside the library to read, play and create. You’ll find the shelves stacked with all their favourite books and DVDs – and comfy places to sit and enjoy them.
Outside they can play in the sunken garden or run wild in the plaza. On a warm day, the water play zone is sure to be a huge hit.
8. Give your digital skills a boost in the computer lab
From coding to robotics and 3D printing, we’ve got a stack of workshops coming up in our computer lab. If you’re keen to learn digital design and video editing, we’ve got Adobe Creative classes for beginners to advanced in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
Kids will love our school-holiday and after-school sessions where they’ll get to create with our makerspace collection or learn programming with MIT Scratch.
The lab is set up with Mac and PC computers and is also available to hire.
9. Free wifi
Who doesn’t love free wifi? Throughout the library and plaza you can log in and connect to our wifi on your own device. It’s great if you want a change of scenery from your office or to do a bit of research in the sunshine.
10. Watch movies and TV on the go with our GoChip Beams
From TV hits like Outlander to movies including The Amazing Spider-Man, borrow a GoChip Beam to enjoy movies and TV anywhere, anytime. Each small GoChip comes loaded with 5 movies or a TV series and you wirelessly connect your device.
Green Square Library is at 355 Botany Road, Zetland. If you’re not already a City of Sydney library member, join now. Membership is free if you live in NSW.
Originally published by City of Sydney