Libraries and City Museum will be closed King's Birthday Public Holiday, Monday 8 June 2026 and will re-open Tuesday 9 June 2026.

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The Widow

Summary:

SHE NEEDS A LAWYER. HE NEEDS A PAYDAY.

Lawyer Simon Latch is struggling with debt, gambling issues and an impending divorce. But when Eleanor Barnett, an 85-year-old widow, visits his office to secure a new will, it seems his luck has finally changed: she claims she's sitting on a $20 million fortune and no one else knows about it.

Once he's hooked the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But it's a terrible mistake. Hidden secrets have a way of being found out, and when Eleanor is hospitalised after a car accident, Simon realises that nothing is as it seems.

As events spiral out of control, he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn't commit: murder.

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Blood, Rust and Steel

Summary:

All good things must come to an end . . .

Acting Detective Inspector Roberta Steel has never been shy, but she's finally retiring. After thirty years of policing Aberdeen's underbelly, she's all set for her twilight years to feature gardening gloves, afternoon tea, crosswords puzzles, and shouting at the telly.

So, when a body turns up in a wheelie bin, it looks like an excellent way to round off her career and go out with a bang. But the Northeast of Scotland isn't finished with her yet:

There's a violent protest to stop; far-right populist politicians, and sketchy government spooks; a by-election; drugs, dogs, and baby-doll nighties; and a desperate ex-colleague, begging her for help.

With only her Queen Street Irregulars for backup, and the top brass desperate to get shot of her, these final few weeks might just be the death of her . . .

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The Divorce

Summary:

What is a happily ever after really worth?

Naomi was living the quintessential love story.

Boy meets girl. They fall in love, get married, buy a dream house, start a family...

Then-he kicks her out, hires the city's best divorce lawyers, drains their accounts, and takes up with a 20-something.

It's a brutal end to the story. Naomi should accept defeat- move into a dingy apartment, get back into the workforce, and piece together the shattered remains of her life.

Except, why should she?

Instead, Naomi fixates on her husband's new girlfriend. What begins as cynical curiosity soon twists into obsession-and then into something far darker. As Naomi uncovers secrets she never imagined, she realizes her own life may be in danger.

But if it keeps her perfect family intact, isn't it worth it?

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Beneath a Broken Sky

Summary:

Detective Ben Packard has put down roots in the small town of Sandy Lake. A difficult thing to do; it's a hot, miserable summer, and a tornado has swept through causing irreparable damage. Trees are felled, homes destroyed, and people are desperate. Worse, the storm has also blown in a group of storm chasers with something to hide.

Then a woman is killed in her home. The mother of a gay boy and unpopular among the locals for the hell she recently raised at school when the administration refused to punish a group of students who were bullying her son, there's almost too many suspects to count.

But to Packard, the case hits close to home. And when someone from his past shows up on his doorstep out of the blue, he realizes he'll have to confront the reality of navigating life as a gay man in a small town bent on tradition, no matter the cost.

The heat suffocates. The violence simmers. Before the summer is out, someone else will die.

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Private Tokyo

Summary:

One secret could destroy a city...

A covert operative is murdered on the streets of Tokyo, hunted down by a masked assassin and silenced before he can expose what he's stolen.

With his final breath, he delivers a message that crosses continents- Get Jack Morgan.

Private detective Morgan arrives in Tokyo to find a city on edge.

As the investigation unleashes a chain of deadly events, it's clear he's stepped into something far bigger - and far more dangerous - than a single killing.

Could he be the next target?

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The Detective

Summary:

For 150 years, women have been going missing.

And all of the investigators who went in search of them - from 1877 to the present day - have disappeared, too.

Now Sam Speedman, a most unique private detective, is on the case.

Brilliant, direct and disarming, Sam is . . . different. He's not your average private detective. But then again, this isn't your average case.

For not even he will be prepared for what he will find.

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A Murder in Springtime

Summary:

Bruno Courrges, chief of police of the Dordogne town of St Denis, is no stranger to murder. But when he receives a phone call from his friend, Pamela, reporting a fatal attack on her newly arrived lodger, Josette Quirit, he is forced to recuse himself from the investigation due to his close ties to the case.

Luckily, he has a project to distract him. For hundreds of years, the market of St. Denis has been the beating heart of the small town. Now, suddenly, customers and stallholders alike have fallen away dramatically. Frustrated with his work - where a new, young detective has been brought in to replace him - Bruno throws himself into breathing new life into his beloved market.

But it's not long before Bruno finds himself caught up in the investigation again when it transpires that Josette is not quite the kindly nurse she first appeared to be...

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A Very Dangerous Pursuit

Summary:

It began in the manner of all the very best adventures: in a coffee house.

When one Richard Hannay – intrepid, inquisitive, and on the hunt for intrigue – encounters an old acquaintance in Constantinople, he has an inkling that something thrilling is afoot.

Charged with an item of great mystery and import – a washbag, no less! – he soon finds himself in a very dangerous pursuit: from the luxurious confines of the Orient Express to the decks of the Titanic herself, all with the very fate of Europe in his care.

Can he slip the net of Count Schwabing, whose long arm stretches from Berlin to the Bosphorus? And what of Madame Zara, the cabaret enchantress – does she play at affection, deception, or something far more deadly?

In over his head, often a step – or thirty-nine – behind, but absolutely, resolutely determined to save the day, Hannay is about to embark on an escapade that will test his wits, his courage, and his ability to keep hold of a blasted washbag.

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Cold Fire

Summary:

When a NATO super-weapon is successfully tested at the North Pole, the aircraft carrying it suddenly vanishes off the radar, the crew are found murdered at their stations, and the weapon - capable of triggering global catastrophe - disappears into the Arctic mists.

NUMA's Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala are pulled into a race against time to lead the search.

Rival Russian and Chinese powers are closing in, but as Kurt and his team race to reach the wreck first, a darker mystery emerges- the world's great powers are all being carefully manipulated by one vengeful man with a deadly plan . . .

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Find Me

Summary:

THREE YEARS MISSING. TWO SISTERS SEARCHING. A TRUTH THEY MAY NOT SURVIVE.

When Pete vanished into the rugged wilderness of Tasmania’s Abel mountains, it only took a few weeks for the official search to be called off. He’d been warned, they said. Mount Mercy takes people.

Brought together by their mother’s dying wish to find their brother once and for all, estranged sisters Hallie and Gertie head back to Mount Mercy. Their first step: to find the Peakers, an isolated and mysterious commune, who were the last people to see Pete alive.

It doesn’t take long for the sisters’ desperate hunt for answers to become a terrifying fight for their own survival. The Peakers are hiding something. Something deadly …

City Library

Dungeons and Dragons

Tuesday, 7 July 2026 | 2:00pm

Price: FREE

City Library

Bradley Dryburgh

Thursday 30 July 2026 | 6:00pm

Price: $5

City Library

Chapter Chat!

Thursday, 20 August 2026 | 4:00pm

Price: FREE

Latest news

Get your New Library Card today!

We’re upgrading our Library Membership Cards to ensure they work seamlessly with our latest technology. This upgrade also helps us keep your details up to date so you can enjoy the new features and have a smooth, convenient access to all our services.

Explore our digital programs

Did you know your library has a range of online programs, tutorials and resources ready for you to explore any time, day or night? There’s something for everyone in our Digital Programs Hub. Browse the range and learn something new today.

Logging into the Catalogue

These simple steps will get you started;

🖱️ Click on Log in 👤 (located at the top right hand-side of your screen)
💳 Enter your library membership barcode number
🔑 Enter your password (your birthday & month – 4-digits) e.g. if your birthday is 1 July you would enter 0107

As a part of our new system upgrade, your password has been reset. After you’ve first logged in, you can change and update your password if you wish.
 
If you need more help, please contact any of our libraries! 

Latest news

Stocard is moving to the Klarna!

If you haven’t heard the news… Stocard is moving to the Klarna app – so here’s what you need to know!

Dungeon Crawler Carl

The Art of Annemieke Mein

Book Lovers

Recommended by
Matthew
Digital Librarian

When a regular guy named Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s surprisingly intelligent cat, Princess Donut, are forced to compete for survival, the result is a thrilling and hilarious adventure. This series is a perfect pick for readers who love fast-paced action, clever world-building, and a heavy dose of dark humour.

Dinniman masterfully blends the LitRPG genre with sharp satire, creating a story that is both a loving parody and a standout example of its kind. With its creative monsters, high-stakes challenges, and the unforgettable duo of a cynical man and his regal feline companion, this book offers a unique reading experience.

A must-read for anyone seeking a fun, unpredictable story that breaks all the rules.

Recommended by
Louise
Library Assistant

Annemieke Mein is a Dutch born Australian textile artist who creates incredible artworks out of all sorts of material such as hand spun cotton, silk stockings and emu feathers. This book provides an insight into her personal life and career as an artist, pairing it with some of her gorgeous creations.

As a visual artist and someone who dabbles in textiles, I thoroughly enjoyed looking at how Mein uses their unique skill and free flowing techniques to encapsulate Australian flora and fauna.

I particularly love her wearable art vests and her moth works. Her creations are highly detailed, tactile, and imaginative, highlighting some of the more curious parts of the natural world.

Recommended by
Emily
Branch Supervisor

Every Emily Henry book I’ve read has felt like a window into my mind! She gets me like no other author, but what she understands even more than me is how to write a brilliant and moving romance novel.

Nora Stephens is a cutthroat literary agent who seemingly has no time for human interaction, save for her baby sister Libby. Charlie Lastra is a brooding city editor who is the only person who can rival Nora in delivering an icy stare. The two had the opposite of a meet-cute early in their careers and have been avoiding each other ever since…that is, until Libby convinces Nora to take a sister getaway to the small town of Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, where Nora cannot stop running into Charlie.

This novel is much more than an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance. It is a story about sisterhood and chasing your dreams regardless of what other people want from you. Nora is a flawed protagonist whom I feel I can relate to and root for. I love Nora and Charlie so much, and I know many others would as well if they gave Book Lovers a chance!

Must reads

'I Who Have Never Known Men' by Jacqueline Harpman

Recommended by
Abby
Library Assistant

A translated work which follows a young girl who is trapped underground with 39 older women, none of them know how they got there, why they are there, who they are and if they will ever leave. The only other people known to them are the male guards who never speak.
 
A great, short introduction into Lit Fic if you are wanting to enter the genre but it may seem too daunting. This book is a very insightful and beautifully wrote though provoking piece which made me question who we are as women, what our humanity and purpose is and why we must always question our surroundings. If there is one thing for certain in this book, you will NEVER stop asking questions.

865

New items

54,535

Items borrowed

$1,292,479

Community money saved by borrowing from the library

Most popular

Fiona McIntosh

Blood Pact

Mel Robbins

The Let Them Theory

Secret Link

Shellharbour City Libraries partnered with Warrigal Care to deliver Bee Connected, an intergenerational program aimed at forming meaningful connections between young people and seniors in the community through songs, games, reading, and crafts. 

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with UOW on a range of Paint Shellharbour REaD initiatives. Paint Shellharbour REaD is part of the Paint the Town REaD network, dedicated to promoting early childhood literacy. 

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with The Man Walk to deliver the Tall Tales program. This program aims to make connections with local, social, hobby and information organisations who appeal to male audiences and bring them into our library programs space. 

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Smith Family to promote early childhood literacy through the Paint Shellharbour REaD initiative. Paint Shellharbour REaD organises reading days and kids events throughout the year dedicated to fostering a love of reading. 

QBD

Shellharbour City Libraries have worked with QBD Shellharbour as the preferred bookseller at all of our Author Talk events. 

The Good Things Foundation are a future-focused digital inclusion leaders, advocating, partnering, educating and innovating to ensure no one is left behind in the digital world. The Good Things Foundation have partnered with Shellharbour City Libraries to facilitate Digital Skills sessions from Sptember 2025.

Shellharbour City Libraries collaborates with Paint the Gong REaD in conjunction with the Paint the Town REaD network. This partnership promotes early childhood literacy across the Illawarra through multiple reading events and activities. 

Shellharbour City Libraries has partnered with NSW Health to facilitate Independent Living Skills sessions aimed at teaching foster children health and wellbeing skills, in collaboration with the William Campbell Foundation.

The Multicultural Communities Council Illawarra attends Warilla library to utilise the 2528 community room. This is used for exercise and light physio sessions with senior community members.

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Living Connected to offer drop-in Tech Help sessions to our customers at Warilla, Albion Park and City Libraries. These short one-on-one sessions are designed to assist customers in their digital skills development. 

Shellharbour City Libraries partnered with Legal Aid NSW to bring free community talks across our branches discussing a range of legal topics and how people can access help and resources as a part of the Libraries Law Week celebration.

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Kiama Community College to deliver Tech Savvy Seniors sessions at our libraries. Tech Savvy Seniors is a NSW Government and Telstra partnership coordinated by the State Library of NSW. The program aims to teach seniors digital skills and knowledge.

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Junior Einsteins to deliver Bee Connected, an intergenerational program aimed at forming meaningful connections between young people and seniors in the community through songs, games, reading, and crafts. 

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Judi Sandilands-Cincotta to bring Ollie and Shiko the therapy dogs to a range of children’s and youth programs. These programs aim to promote positive mental health and social connection.

The Sewing Collective is a vibrant and inclusive community hub where sewists of all levels come together to create. The Sewing Collective facilitates several sewing programs at City Library every month.

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with HARS to deliver the Tall Tales program. This program aims to make connections with local social, hobby and information organisations who appeal to male audiences and bring them into our library program space. 

Shellharbour City Libraries organises Sensory Experiences with Greenacres Disability Services at Warilla Library.

Barrmarrany is an Aboriginal family-owned business based in the Illawarra region of the lands of the Dharawal people. They offer programs and workshops to various people and services seeking authentic and unique Indigenous experiences, including educational programs, cultural performances and authentic Indigenous experiences.

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Ed U Play to facilitate programs and activities that bring young people together. These programs support social and emotional wellbeing amongst youth. The libraries support the Girls Only Project which aims to provide young women with knowledge of and access to positive activities in their own communities. Ed U Play are funded by the Communities for Children Program.

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Bunnings to deliver free monthly Craft Workshops at City Library. In these sessions, experts from Bunnings teach our customers a range of crafting skills. These workshops include, Kokedama Balls, Painting Art Canvas and much more!

Afford provides disability services and community connection for people living with disability. Afford in partnership with Shellharbour City Libraries runs monthly craft sessions for disability groups, covering a range of craft themes.

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Barnardos to promote early childhood literacy through the Paint Shellharbour REaD initiative. Paint Shellharbour REaD organises reading days and kids events throughout the year dedicated to fostering a love of reading.

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Aruma Disability Services to deliver Library Links. Library Links is a program that aims to invite disability services groups into their local branches to utilise craft and puzzle kits as well as getting to know our collections. Aruma is the first group at the Warilla branch and comes monthly to utilise space, kits and collections with their joined organisation library card.

Shellharbour City Libraries partnered with Warrigal Care to deliver Bee Connected, an intergenerational program aimed at forming meaningful connections between young people and seniors in the community through songs, games, reading and crafts. 

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with the William Campbell Foundation to deliver the Independent Living Skills Program. This program involves teaching foster children integral health and wellbeing skills and knowledge. Additionally, the City Library hosts WCF’s fortnightly Homework Club.

Sydney Writers Festival

Every year, Shellharbour City Libraries partners with the Sydney Writers Festival to deliver author panel livestreams and local events as part of the festival’s Live and Local programming. 

Paint the town read

Shellharbour City Libraries leads Paint Shellharbour REaD, which is part of the Paint the Town REaD network. This initiative aims to promote early childhood literacy by connecting local early childhood education stakeholders and providers and collaborating with them to deliver reading events and activities. 

Little Zaks Bee connected

Shellharbour City Libraries partnered with Little Zaks Academy to deliver Bee Connected, an intergenerational program aimed at forming meaningful connections between young people and seniors in the community through songs, games, reading and crafts. 

Frasers Property

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Frasers Property Australia to deliver Toddler Tales, a weekly childhood reading program, at The Waterfront Shell Cove. The libraries have also partnered with Frasers Property Australia to deliver a term of Tech Savvy Seniors at Shell Cove.

Frasers Property

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Frasers Property Australia to deliver Toddler Tales, a weekly childhood reading program, at The Waterfront Shell Cove. The libraries have also partnered with Frasers Property Australia to deliver a term of Tech Savvy Seniors at Shell Cove.

Paint Shellharbour REaD

Shellharbour City Libraries partners with Big Fat Smile to deliver Transition to School programs to prepare pre-schoolers for their move into primary school. Big Fat Smile is also a part of the Paint Shellharbour REaD initiative, which organises events that promote early childhood literacy.