Lifestyle

Interests

Interests feature image

Libraries have always been the best place to find out more about a topic you're interested in, or research a project. Our librarians' aim is to find and provide the best range of information you can trust, on an enormous range of subjects.

Our eLibrary offers a huge range of resources to help you explore your interest.

Try the resources below as a starting point

Reference resources

Explore our online reference resources and websites, many available exclusively to library members. Subject areas include history and lifestyle, science and nature, and business and law.

Learning and tutorials

Improve your knowledge, develop a skill or learn a new one. Our eLibrary includes online courses, computer skills learning and lots of resources to help you get more from your interest.

Our eLibrary also offers thousands of newspapers and magazines to download to your device and a huge range of ebooks and eAudiobooks to borrow, anytime, anywhere.

Hobbies

Student working on a laptop

Whatever your hobbies or interests, we have a huge range of resources – both online and in our libraries – to help you make the most of them.

If you are looking for people with similar interests or hobbies, check out community led events held at our libraries. To find out what’s on at your local library, download a copy of the community events calendar(PDF, 227KB)

Try some of great online resources now:

Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center

Trying to find a new hobby? Use this resource to develop your hobbies. It includes detailed "how-to" instructions and creative ideas for every hobby-enthusiast. There's home and garden, model building, arts and crafts, needlecraft and textiles, and more.

Access online

LinkedIn Learning

Why not learn a new skill from home? Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills, including:

  • software, web design
  • photography, film making and music producing
  • game design, 3D animation, social media
  • job search tools.

Access online

Mango Languages

Are you sitting at home dreaming of your next overseas trip? Why not learn the language of your dream destination with Mango Languages. Choose from more than 70 languages including Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin and even Pirate!

Explore our eLibrary now to discover more resources to supercharge your hobby. This includes our extensive range of hobby magazines to download to your device free to keep!

Access online

Unique collections

Accessible collection_Web_690x420px.jpg

Our libraries have a collection of learning and development resources available for people of all ages and abilities.

You can browse, borrow, collect and return these items from any Gold Coast Library (excluding the Mobile Library and the Ormeau Community Lounge & Library). We have a great range of resources at each location and you can borrow up to 10 items at a time.

The Accessible Collection has items to help with:

  • skills and strength (coordination, focus, strength)
  • games and puzzles (turn taking, memory, social skills)
  • language (literacy, spelling, writing, talking, reading, communication)
  • maths and numbers (counting, money)
  • tactile and sensory (touch, feel, sounds)
  • growth and wellbeing (living skills, self-care, healthy foods). 

Other collections

Our collection contains many special interest resources. These include:

  • an extensive range of musical scores for vocals, piano, guitar and a variety of other instruments
  • an adult literacy collection designed to assist customers develop their literacy skills
  • around 10,000 titles in Chinese, Japanese and Italian languages. More community languages are supplied on loan from the State Library of Queensland
  • large collection of graphic novels.
Back to top