Community Languages Collection

Blacktown City Libraries offers a range of materials in 105 different languages.  You can search the community languages collection by visiting the library catalogue

Our award-winning display ‘Books from Everywhere' celebrates the language diversity in our city.  Currently, the display showcases books from 191 different countries and in 165 different languages.
The display is available to view at Max Webber Library, within the Community Room on the ground floor. 

Community Language collection

These resources are mostly located at Max Webber Library, with smaller collections available at our branch libraries.

Language
Books
Magazines
DVDs
Amharic Yes No No
Arabic Yes No No
Bengali Yes Yes No
Chinese  Yes Yes Yes
Croatian Yes Yes No
Dinka  Yes No No
Dutch No Yes No
Filipino  Yes No Yes
German No Yes No
Gujarati  Yes Yes No
Hindi Yes Yes Yes
Italian  Yes Yes No
Korean Yes No No
Nepalese  Yes No No
Persian Yes No No
Polish  Yes Yes No
Punjabi Yes Yes Yes
Russian  Yes No No
Serbian Yes Yes No
Sinhalese  Yes No Yes
Somali Yes No No
Spanish  Yes Yes No
Swahili Yes No No
Tamil  Yes Yes Yes
Telugu Yes Yes No
Turkish  Yes Yes No
Twi Yes No No
Urdu  Yes Yes No
Vietnamese Yes
No No

 

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Preparing for the IELTS test?

Blacktown City Libraries offers study guides and resources to help you prepare.
Visit your local branch or search our catalogue to reserve items.

The official IELTS website also offers practice material such as sample test questions to help you prepare.

Request books in your language (for free)

Can't find the language you are looking for?

We can request a free bulk loan from the State Library of NSW, if your language is on their list. This service only provides books - DVDs, CDs and magazines are not included. 

Speak with library staff for more information.

How does it work?
The State Library supplies, on request, a box of randomly selected books in the chosen language for three months. During that time you can borrow material from this selection to read at your leisure.

You can also search the Community Language Directory from the State Library. The directory lists which community language resources are held in all NSW public libraries.

If you have any comments or feedback regarding this service, please email library.notices@blacktown.nsw.gov.au.

Children's books in community languages

Each collection of community language books includes a small amount of material for children.

If you would like to find children's material about a specific culture, written in English, library staff can assist you.

African multimedia collection

This collection reflects the diverse African cultures, focus and content.

DVDs in this collection are in both English and African languages. The collection includes a range of educational DVDs and CD-Roms from the Australian Government and non-government organisations.

Newspapers in community languages

Pressreader logo

PressReader provides access to 7,000 newspapers and magazines from around the world; from 120+ countries and I60+ languages.

You can easily access this free resource anywhere, anytime.  Watch our 'how-to' videos or read this simple guide to get started.