Collections at your library!
Welcome to the latest edition of Library Collection News! Explore fresh titles, exciting resources, and updates from Coffs Harbour Libraries. Let's dive into what's new this month.
In this edition we are focusing on keeping you and your family entertained over the Christmas period and Summer holidays:
- Read all the comics with our eResource of the month, Comics Plus 📚💥
- Discover our jigsaw puzzle collection 🧩
- Access eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, Film & TV with our online platforms 📱
- Focus on our junior collections with reviews from some of our young library members 👧🏼🧒🏽👶🏻📖
eResource of the Month
Comics Plus
Unlimited Comics, Anytime, Anywhere!
Did you know your library card gives you FREE access to Comics Plus? That means unlimited, 24/7 access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga, no holds, no waitlists! Whether you're into superheroes, slice-of-life, or the latest manga, there’s something for every reader. Start reading today!
Choose from our collections below:
Or download the app:
Collection Feature
Jigsaw Puzzles
Have you discovered the library’s Jigsaw Puzzle Collection?
With puzzles ranging from 500 to 2,000 pieces - and featuring everything from beloved literary characters to breathtaking landscapes and vibrant artwork - the Christmas holidays are the perfect time to gather the family for some cozy puzzling fun!
You can borrow up to two puzzles at a time, and they’re available at all library branches. Happy puzzling!
Local Author
Manmeet Bedi
Thank you to local Sikh author Manmeet Bedi who joined Mayor Nikki Williams and Cr Gurminder Saro at Harry Bailey Memorial Library to donate a copy of his brand-new illustrated children’s book, Where the Mustard Fields Meet the Southern Cross.
The book tells the inspiring story of a Sikh man’s journey from Punjab to Woolgoolga, celebrating family, culture and community.
We will have copies for borrowing as well as holding a copy in our Local Studies collection.
Summer Reads
Adult Fiction
Summer Reads
Adult Non-Fiction
Trending New Titles
Junior and Young Adult
About time by Alom Shaha & Rebecca Struthers
Explore the concept, history, and mechanics of timekeeping through engaging explanations, illustrations, and hands-on activities for children aged 7-11.
Animal habitats by Annabel Griffin
Be taken on a journey through different climates and unique plant habitats, from the scorching heat of deserts to the freezing temperatures of the polar regions, to explore the diverse global environments and the fascinating animals that live in them.
Atlas of horses and ponies by Frances Evans
An illustrated children's atlas that explores over 100 horse and pony breeds from across the globe, providing fascinating facts about each breed's characteristics, origins, and personality traits, combining geography with equine biology and culture.
11 Ruby Road : 1950 by Charlotte Barkla
The third installment in the 11 Ruby Road series, set in a bustling Australian city in the 1950s. The story explores themes of acceptance, community, and social change through the eyes of the young protagonist, Patsy.
The big bad wolf murder by P G Bell
A fairy-tale inspired murder mystery where a young girl, Ruby Calvino, is framed for the murder of the famous wolf athlete Alarick during a championship game and must go on the run to prove her innocence.
The hidden forest by Kiah Thomas
The second book in The Callers series, The hidden forest continues the story of Quin and his sister Davinia as they navigate a world where a magical ability called "Calling" is revealed to be a form of environmental exploitation.
The last comics on Earth : a song of swords and stuffies by Max Brallier & Joshua Pruett
In the third book of the series, the friends face competition from a rival comic and must team up with new, adorably fluffy heroes to save their in-comic world, Apocalyptia, from being "cutified" by a mysterious new threat.
Minecraft : The manga book 1 by Kazuyoshi Seto
The story centres around a ten-year-old boy named Nico White, who is bored with his peaceful, protected town life and yearns for the adventure his absent father, a renowned adventurer, once had.
It waits in the forest by Sarah Das
A modern young adult thriller enhanced with Caribbean myths, following a young woman who must confront the existence of magic and a string of brutal murders connected to her family's past.
The locked room by Adam Cece
In this thriller four teenagers—Andy (the narrator), his bully Chad, popular girl Gabriella Lee, and a quiet "Nameless Girl"—wake up in a mysterious locked room with no memory of how they got there. A countdown clock on the wall and a locked green door indicate a challenge: they must escape within an hour.
Holiday reading and viewing
Online platforms
eBooks & eAudiobooks
Explore all the library’s eBook & eAudiobook platforms
Did you know the library offers multiple platforms to borrow eBooks & eAudiobooks?
Login with your library card and password and discover the thousands of titles on offer!
eMagazines and Online Newspapers
Stay informed with daily news and current magazines
- Access World News Research Collection 2025 by NewsBank gives access to thousands of reliable sources — from The Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald to The Coffs Coast Advocate and The Daily Telegraph
- OverDrive (Libby) Enjoy over 4,000 Magazine titles all in one place, with unlimited simultaneous use - enjoy every issue of every magazine every day.
Kanopy - film & TV
Discover Kanopy – your library’s streaming service
Take a break this Christmas and enjoy streaming Kanopy. With your library membership, you get FREE access to over 30,000 movies, TV shows, World Movies, Documentaries, BBC Crime, Short Film Festivals, Christmas Movies for all the family and so much more.
It’s easy to get started: simply create an account with your library membership and start streaming today.
StoryBox Library
Be entertained and inspired with StoryBox Library
Story Box Library is the best place to watch celebrated stories read aloud by our favourite storytellers. A fantastic literary resource for pre-school through to upper primary-aged children, a range of actors, sportspeople, authors, illustrators and more share their unique voices in an ever-growing library.
With special ‘Read-Along’ versions and 90 stories read in AUSLAN - it’s storytime, anytime, and it’s all free with your library membership!
Reading Radar
What our community are reading...
Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
This was such a comforting read. It’s the first of a series and follows an orphaned girl with big dreams and ideas, going to live at Green Gables with the Cuthberts. Each chapter is a little story in itself, and encourages readers to appreciate every detail of life and use our imagination. Such a happy, bright read, definitely recommend.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Junior Fiction
The extremely embarrassing life of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby
I am loving this hilarious illustrated book series about the antics of Lottie Brooks, so much so I am even reading them on the bus to school!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Junior Fiction
Friday Barnes Undercover by R A Spratt
The best book in the series. The suspense when she makes it to the ball not wearing her signature brown cardigan! My favourite book ever! I cannot wait to read the new one!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Junior Fiction
A Horse Called Now by Ruth Doyle; Illustrated by Alexandria Finkeldey
A Horse Called Now is a sensitively written picture book about calming worries and anxieties. The illustrations capture natures raw beauty and compliments the story’s message by using soft pastels that evoke the feeling of calmness. The story’s text is reassuring and gentle, encouraging children to enjoy the present moment rather than focusing on their fears. This lovely story is sure to become a firm favourite with adults and children alike.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Picture Book, Read Along
Kindness for Koalas by Zanna Davidson; Illustrated by Ged Adamson
Kindness for Koalas is a beautifully illustrated picture book, with the story told in rhyming verse. This book provides a gentle introduction to handling unhappy emotions through different acts of kindness. Mala the Koala is having a bad day and takes out her frustration on nature and animals; until a little mouse suggests Mala try being kind to others to make herself feel better. Mala helps other animals in the bush and begins to feel better. She learns not only to be kind to others but to be kind to herself as well.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Picture Book
The School for Wicked Witches by Will Taylor
It’s brilliant - it’s an adventurous story set in Oz which questions the line between good and bad. There’s a lot of talk about north, south, east & west witches and which one is best, but it makes you reflect upon what really matters and being grateful for what you have.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Junior Fiction
Tim Ayliffe - Author Talk
Monday 2 February 2026
Award-winning crime-thriller author Tim Ayliffe takes readers on a haunting journey through the dry, forgotten towns of the NSW Riverina in his new standalone novel. Dark Desert Road is a disturbingly plausible thriller that highlights the social fractures that are escalating around the world today.
Whether you’re already a fan or just discovering his novels, this event will be an exciting evening for all crime fiction lovers.
Save the date so you don't miss this event.
Postcards of Connection
Display runs from 17 December to 17 February.
Where: Level 2, Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Postcards of Connection is coming to Coffs Harbour Libraries! This uplifting community art project brings together stories and original artworks created by local teens and seniors, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and connection.
Over the summer holiday period, you are invited to wander through the installation, read heartfelt postcards, and experience the creative exchange between generations.
With the support of Australian Library & Information Association through the Community Cohesion Grant you will have the opportunity to write and send a postcard of your own, adding your voice to this growing tapestry of connection.
Woolgoolga Library Closure
Great news! The City of Coffs Harbour has received a grant from the State Library of NSW for a major refurbishment of Woolgoolga Library that will modernise and brighten up this much-loved community space.
To make this happen, the library will close at 12pm on 3 January until 15 March to enable works to be done.
What you need to know:
- Visit us before the closure and borrow up to 60 books.
- If you need more library items, Harry Bailey Memorial Library and Toormina library are open as usual
- Reservations can be picked up from Wiigulga Sports Complex on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1-3pm.
- Online resources: Our eBooks and other online library resources will continue to be available, anytime.
- Printing, computers and Justice of the Peace: these services will be available from Woolgoolga Neighbourhood Centre from 12 January 2026 until we reopen. Justice of the Peace will be available Wednesdays between 11am and 1pm.
Keep up to date for further information via Facebook, Instagram and the library website or via our newsletters.
Thank you for your understanding and apologies for the inconvenience.
Important notice - Story Space Closure, Yarrila Place
Story Space will temporarily close for a fresh, floor upgrade!
Sunday 4 January – Sunday 18 January
Exciting news for our youngest library members and their families. The Story Space on the ground floor of Harry Bailey Memorial Library will temporarily close for a fresh, floor upgrade.
New rubberised flooring tiles will be placed across the stairs, landings and ground floor area to make our lovely Story Space safer for all.
What you need to know:
- The Story Space will close from 4 January 2026 for two weeks and is expected to reopen on Monday 19 January.
- The remaining ground floor of the library is fully accessible, including the Citizen Science Corner, magazines, reservations and the children’s collections.
- The picture book collection will be moved from Story Space into the larger children’s area and will be available for loan.
- Any noisy works will be done before opening hours, so you can still come in and enjoy the library as usual!
Thanks for your patience as we make updates to this much-loved space.
Christmas Hours
Over the Christmas period Coffs Harbour Libraries will have the following closures and special hours:
- Wednesday 24 December HBML open 10:00am – 2:00pm, Toormina and Woolgoolga closed.
- All 3 libraries will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.
- All 3 libraries will close at 4:00pm weekdays from Monday 22 December until Wednesday 31 December.
- Standard hours resume on Friday 2 January 2026.
Acknowledgement of Country
Coffs Harbour Libraries is on the land of the Gumbaynggirr people, who we recognise as the traditional custodians of the land and who have cared for the land since time before immemorial. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and commit ourselves to a future with reconciliation and renewal at its heart.
Harry Bailey
Memorial Library
Yarrila Place
27 Gordon Street
Coffs Harbour
NSW 2452
Tel: (02) 6648 4900
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday & Sunday
10am to 2pm
Toormina Library
Minorie Drive
Toormina NSW 2452
Tel: (02) 6648 4925
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday
10am to 12noon
Woolgoolga Library
Ganderton Street
Woolgoolga NSW 2456
Tel: (02) 6648 4902
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday
10am to 12noon
