❕Shellharbour City Libraries & City Museum will be closed on Monday 9 June 2025 for the King's Birthday public holiday

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Talk Your Way Out Of Trouble

Summary:

As a criminal defence lawyer, Jahan Kalantar has helped people in their most desperate hour, from hardened jailbirds to accidental offenders, disadvantaged delinquents to undeserving scapegoats.

Along the way, Jahan has learned that it's not always the smartest person in the room who wins the day. There are other, more important skills: like being able to ask for help, stick to your values, listen without judgement, know when to be sceptical, and apologise like you mean it.

In Talk Your Way Out of Trouble, Jahan shares his insights through laugh-out-loud funny stories of his own triumphs and blunders, as well as those of his clients. Full of humour and heart, this is an insider's look at how the law really works - and why its lessons are vital for everyone, in and out of the courtroom.

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Hear Me Roar

Summary:

Despite what Erna's colleagues seemed to think, the females of the animal world were far from weak and demure. Elephant matriarchs led their herds; female bonobos revelled in sexual exploration; emu mothers abandoned their chicks to the care of their fathers. Her colleagues wouldn't dare tell a female tiger that hunting was a 'male's job' - why were they so intent on limiting Erna?

In this insightful and delightful book, Erna blends memoir and pop science to tell a fiercely female story. She recounts a life spent caring for animals in a fast transforming industry, and dives into scientific evidence and evolutionary history to debunk the myths that once held her back.

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There Must Be More

Summary:

In 2021, Kellie Finlayson, with a three-month-old daughter, found herself staring down the barrel of a terminal diagnosis: Stage 4 bowel cancer. She was 25.

Incredibly, Kellie is still fighting several years on, and not only for her life. She was horrified to discover that this disease is Australia's second-highest cancer killer and-shockingly-the highest for 25- to 45-year-olds. Hardwired to help people, Kellie boldly determined to change those statistics. Since then, she has become a defier of odds and a passionate advocate for broader health awareness.

While being the Number 1 supporter of her husband, AFL player Jeremy Finlayson, and of their daughter, Sophia, Kellie has also become an ambassador of the Jodi Lee Foundation and face of the 'Trust Your Gut' campaign, a co-host of the Sh!t Talkers podcast and now an author, courageously unveiling her story. She is on a mission.

There Must be More is a book about being dealt a devasting blow, being knocked down and yet getting back up again. This is Kellie's searingly honest, endearingly vulnerable, sometimes cheeky and always hopeful story of love and struggle from the frontlines of her fight for life.

Filled with revelations for those who haven't been touched by the illness and compassion for those who have, this book is the life-affirming gift of hope that everybody needs.

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Always Home, Always Homesick

Summary:

In a land of ethereal beauty, within a culture soaked in myth, a young woman discovers the story that will change her life.

In 2003, seventeen-year-old Australian exchange student Hannah Kent arrives at Keflavík Airport in the middle of the Icelandic winter.

That night she sleeps off her jet lag and bewilderment in the National Archives of Iceland, unaware that, years later, she will return to the same building to write Burial Rites, the haunting story of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, the last woman executed in Iceland. The novel will go on to launch the author's stellar literary career and capture the hearts of readers across the globe.

Always Home, Always Homesick is Hannah Kent's exquisite love letter to a land that has forged a nation of storytellers, her ode to the transcendent power of creativity, and her invitation to us all to join her in the realms of mystery, spirit and wonder.

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Meadow’s Law

Summary:

In 2003, Kathleen Folbigg was found guilty of smothering her four young children to death, one by one. Medical experts told her trial that they had never come across a family like hers, where three or more infants had died from natural causes. Extracts from diaries she had written were judged to be virtual admissions of guilt, and Folbigg was sentenced to 40 years in jail. But did she do it?

This is a gripping and meticulously researched account of one of Australia's most infamous criminal cases, written by investigative journalist Quentin McDermott, whose groundbreaking work with ABC's Australian Story helped trigger a push by scientists to uncover the genetic cause of two of the children's deaths. It is also the story of how dedicated teams of lawyers, friends and supporters fought to achieve Kathleen Folbigg's eventual pardon, release and acquittal after 20 years behind bars.

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The Anxious Generation

Summary:

A powerful argument for reclaiming childhood - and all human relationships - from the online world, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author

Jonathan Haidt has spent his career speaking truth and wisdom in some of the most difficult spaces - communities polarized by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the mental health emergency hitting teenagers today in many countries around the world.

In The Anxious Generation, Haidt shows how, between 2010 and 2015, childhood and adolescence got rewired. As teens traded in their flip phones for smartphones packed with social media apps, time online soared, including time spent comparing oneself to a vast pool of others. Time engaging face-to-face with friends and family plummeted, and so did mental health.

But this is not just a story about technology; this profound shift took place against a backdrop of declining childhood freedom and free-play, as parents over-supervised every aspect of their children's lives offline, depriving them of the experiences they most need to become strong and self-governing adults.

In this book, Haidt makes a compelling argument that the loss of play-based childhood and its replacement with a phone-based childhood that is not suitable for human development is the source of increased mental distress among teenagers. The Anxious Generation delves into the latest psychological and biological research to show the four fundamental ways in which a phone-based childhood disrupts development - sleep deprivation, social deprivation, cognitive fragmentation and addiction. Haidt offers separate in-depth analyses of what has happened to girls, and what has happened to boys, offering practical advice for parents, schools, governments, and teens themselves. Drawing on ancient wisdom and cutting-edge research, this eye-opening book is a life raft and a powerful call-to-arms.

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Easy Air Fryer

Summary:

Air fryers save you time and money. Now discover just how delicious air frying can really be, with Jamie . . .

Whether you're new to air frying or an expert, Jamie Oliver's here to help you take your gadget to the next level - enter Easy Air Fryer.

The result of months of experimentation, this is the first book to show you just how delicious and versatile air frying can be. Whether prepping ahead or cooking to order, Jamie will have you making meals people won't believe were created in the air fryer.

Chapters include Quick Fixes, New Classics, Big Up the Veg, Super Salads, A Little Bit Fancy, Cute Canapes, Get Your Bake On and Proper Puds.

Full of hacks, inspiration and new ideas, Jamie's Easy Air Fryer will have you cooking easy, tasty, nutritious food time and again.

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Great Coastal Walks Australia

Summary:

Great Coastal Walks Australia showcases the best coastal tracks in each state to explore on foot. It features a range of unique locations to take in Australia's most spectacular coastal scenery, from Sydney's iconic beaches to remote wilderness destinations. Journey with Australia's best bushwalking writers as they explore Victoria's Shipwreck Coast, the Whitsundays, South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, Tasmania's Bay of Fires and the iconic Cape to Cape Track in Western Australia. Selected by Great Walks Australia magazine's editor Brent McKean, for each walk there are tips for exploring the standout spots, their history and must-see features. The stunning colour images will inspire you to start planning your next trek.

City Library

Visiting Author: Gina Chick

Wednesday, 11 June 2025 | 6:00PM

Price: $5

City Library

Visiting Author: Margaret Hickey

Thursday, 10 July 2025 | 6:00pm

Price: FREE

Warilla Library

Naidoc Movie

Thursday, 17 July 2025 | 1:00pm

Price: FREE

Latest news

Farewell Hoopla!

On 28 February 2025 we are saying goodbye to Hoopla…

 

Online craft at the library

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.

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!

The City and its Uncertain Walls

Facing the Music

The Night Circus

Recommended by
Lisa
Team Leader Library Experience

Would you miss your shadow if you had to relinquish it?

Watashi has moved to a small isolated town to work in a library escaping his past –

a past life that included a young love and a mysterious city with high walls you can

only enter, minus your shadow. I loved this surreal and introspective read from Murakami.

Recommended by
Michael
Team Leader Library Resources

As a 90’s pop music superfan, I found it fascinating to read about the former S Club 7 stars personal struggles behind the spotlight. Facing the Music is Hannah’s raw and inspiring journey to fame, filled with heartbreak and eventually finding her voice again.

It’s very honest, emotional and empowering – this is a story you didn’t know you needed.

Recommended by
Matthew
Digital Librarian

‘The Night Circus’ by Erin Morgenstern is a magical story about a black and white circus. Two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, are forced into a magical competition entwined in a budding love story. Slow paced, ‘The Night Circus‘ unfolds in a dreamy, fairy-tale manner that is highly recommended.

Must reads

'Everything I Never Told You' by Celeste Ng

Recommended by
Maddy
Library Assistant

This book is a quick read but its themes linger long after the final page. The opening line caught me right away: “Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet,” and I was hooked for the rest of the novel. While there are elements of a murder mystery, the heart of the story lies in its exploration of complex emotional family dynamics and the consequences of feelings left unspoken. The portrayal of grief, pressure and the weight of unmet expectations feels so authentic, relatable and raw. 

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Most popular

Fiona McIntosh

Blood Pact

Mel Robbins

The Let Them Theory

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. 

Shellharbour City Libraries sponsors Project Bucephalus in their facilitation of the Shellharbour Robo Club. The club teaches youth to form robotics teams and particulate in the FIRST LEGO League tournament. 

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.

Shellharbour City Libraries partnered with Illawarra Legal Centre 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 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.

Shellharbour City Libraries and the Youth Services team partnered with Fitness Cartel Albion Park to deliver a Youth Fitness program at Warilla Library. This program engaged local youth and taught them about health, personal fitness, and respect.

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!

For Library Lovers Day, Shellharbour City Libraries partnered with Belladonna Book Club to produce a series of Book Review videos. 

These reviews were released on the Libraries’ Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as on the Belladonna Book Club’s social media channels.

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.