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Using our Collection

Using our collection

To learn how we choose, manage and care for library items, please see the City of Darwin Libraries Collection Development Guidelines 

What you can borrow

You may borrow an unlimited amount of physical items at a time. This includes:

  • Books
     
  • DVDs 
     
  • Audiobooks
     
  • Magazines
     
  • Edison robots
     
  • Makey Makey kits
     
  • STEAM Zone kits

Digital Library 

With a library membership you also get access to: 

  • eBooks and eAudiobooks (via Libby and BorrowBox) 

  • Digital magazines and newspapers 

  • Streaming movies and TV (via Kanopy) 

Learn more on our Digital Library page. 

In-Library Use Only 

Some items can only be used while you're at the library.  

  • Laptops and tablets 

  • Tech toys (Bee Bots, Dash robots, Osmo kits) 

  • Puzzles, games, toys 

  • Gaming consoles (Karama Library) 

  • Dressmaker's dummy (Casuarina Library) 

  • Sewing machine and overlocker (Casuarina Library) 

Loan Periods

Books, audiobooks, DVDs, Edison Robots, Makey Makey kits

Loan period: 4 weeks

Loan item limits: Unlimited

Renewals allowed: 1

Magazines, STEAM Zone kits

Loan period: 2 weeks

Loan item limits: Unlimited

Renewals allowed: 1

Most Wanted

Loan period: 2 weeks

Loan item limits: Unlimited

Renewals allowed: 0

Libby (by Overdrive) eBooks & eAudiobooks

Loan period: 3 weeks

Loan item limits: 15

Renewals allowed: 1

Libby (by Overdrive) digital magazines

Loan period: Unlimited

Loan item limits: Unlimited

Renewals allowed: N/A

BorrowBox eBooks

Loan period: 2 weeks

Loan item limits: 8

Renewals allowed: 1

BorrowBox eAudioBooks

Loan period: 2 weeks

Loan item limits: 8

Renewals allowed: 1

BorrowBox ePress

Loan period: 1 weeks

Loan item limits: 44

Renewals allowed: N/A

Kanopy Movies

Loan period: 72 hours

Loan item limits: 10 tickets per month

Renewals allowed:0

Kanopy TV series

Loan period: 3-5 days in library use only

Loan item limits: 10 tickets per month

Renewals allowed:0

Laptops/ipads/gaming consoles
Robots (Dash, Bee Bots), Osmo Kits, games, toys, and puzzles

Loan period: In library use only

Loan item limits: Unlimited

Renewals allowed: N/A

Returns

Return your borrowed items can to any of the City of Darwin Libraries locations. All libraries have 24hr/7day return chutes near their entrance. 

Renewals

You can renew your items once, provided no one else has requested the item and they are not overdue. You can renew items online, at the Library self-serve kiosk or over the phone 

We’ll automatically renew your items on their due date, unless: 

  • Someone else has requested the item 

  • The item has already been renewed once 

  • It’s a Most Wanted item, eBook, or inter-library loan 

If an item can’t be renewed, we’ll send you an email to let you know it’s overdue. 

Item concerns or challenges

Sometimes, community members may have concerns about an item in the library collection. If you believe something is inappropriate or shouldn’t be included, you can request a formal review. 

To do this, please complete a Request for Reconsideration of Library Resource form. 

All requests are reviewed by the Coordinator Library Systems & Collections and the Executive Manager, Library and Family Services. 

Decisions are guided by: 

Collections

We have more than 100,000 items in our collections. Of course many of these are books, but did you know about some of our other collections?

Most Wanted

Darwin City, Nightcliff, and Casuarina libraries feature the Most Wanted collection—multiple copies of bestsellers available for 2-week loans only. No renewals or holds. It’s designed to keep high-demand titles flowing and encourage regular visits. We update this collection often to keep it fresh and exciting!

Newspapers

Weekdays: Grab a physical NT News at any branch. Weekend editions aren’t available, but you can pick up the Weekend Australian from Monday.

Digital access: On-site Wi-Fi lets you browse 28 titles—including The Australian, The Age, and NT News—via QR code or public PCs. Multiple users can read at once, with six months of back issues ready to explore.

Magazines

A wide range of titles from Harvard Business Review to National Geographic. Plus digital magazines available through Libby (by Overdrive)

For Children

Picture books, story books, and non-fiction books, along with board books, DVDs, magazines, beginner readers, audiobooks, and graphic novels. We also have a range of tech toys, robots and other gadgets to borrow. 

Parenting

Non-fiction items, picture books, and magazines to support parents.

DVDs and streaming

Our DVD collection features movies, TV shows, music, world languages, and non-fiction—perfect for fans of physical media.
Plus, enjoy Kanopy, our streaming service with feature films, documentaries, world cinema, TV series, and more.

Digital Library

A growing collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks and digital magazines available through to providers Libby (by Overdrive) and BorrowBox.

Audiobooks

A large range of spoken word books in both fiction and non-fiction.

Graphic Novels

Graphic novels for adults, young adults and junior readers.

World Languages

Casuarina Library offers a collection of physical books in languages other than English—including fiction, non-fiction, children’s, and bilingual picture books—thanks to community donations.

For more options, access thousands of eBooks and magazines in 24 languages via the Libby app.
Plus, stream international films and documentaries on Kanopy’s World Cinema channel, featuring over 1,500 titles.

Large Print

A selection of popular authors and genres in large print to assist those with limited vision. 

Cultural Collection

This collection celebrates First Nations peoples’ stories through resources by and about them, including bilingual materials for all ages. Designed for the whole community, it prioritises culturally safe, relevant, and accessible content.

NT Collection

Each Library has a Northern Territory Collection which house non-fiction, including biographical, material relevant to the Northern Territory.

Online Resources

The Library online resources aims to provide reference material in electronic format that is more up-to-date than print resources and is suited to a range of ages.

FAQs 

How many items can I borrow?

Full members have no limit. Lite Members can borrow up to 3 items at a time.

How long can I keep items?

Usually 4 weeks for most items, but some have shorter loan periods.

Can I renew my loans?

Yes, once per item if no one else has reserved it. Renew online, by phone, or in person.

What happens if I return items late?

Once a library item is 3 days overdue you will be unable to borrow further items until it is returned. If the item is still not returned after 10 days, you will be emailed an invoice for the replacement cost of the item. 

What if I lose or damage an item?

You’ll be charged for the replacement of the item. Borrowing stops until this has been paid.

Can I borrow items without my library card?

Yes, bring photo ID or confirm your details with staff.

 

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