Youth
At Manly Library, there are a number of initiatives to help younger people find the information they are looking for.
Young Adult Collection
The Youth Area of the library is situated on the ground floor and holds a diverse collection of Young Adult literature including Graphic Novels, Manga and Zines..
What to read next?
Follow these links to some great websites designed just for teenagers interested in books and movies.
HSC
The Northern Beaches HSC students have their own web page with subject links and a blog at the Inside Break website.
Inside Break is a HSC resources website full of information and links to lectures, library resources, past exams, and more. Established in 2007 as a collaborative project by Warringah, Manly and Pittwater Council libraries, our partnership has expanded to include public libraries across New South Wales.
Manly Library features its own HSC reference and borrowing collection on level one, consisting of current and up to date materials covering all HSC subjects.
Manly Library hosts several 'HSC lock-ins' during the exam period for year 12 students outside of opening hours. The lock-ins offer library resources free of charge and an opportunity to study, research, prepare and share notes in a safe and quiet environment.
Online Resources
Members of Manly Library have access to a wide range of online resources useful for students, teens and young adults. Resources cover contemporary, historical, local, educational and recreational needs. For a full description visit the Online Resources page.
The Wednesday Club
The Wednesday Club meets @ the Library every Wednesday afternoon from 4-5pm, during school terms. The Wednesday Club is designed for children ages 8+ and the focus is on playing games, creating art, enjoying crafts, watching movies on the big screen, holding Wii competitions, listening to music, conducting book talks and enjoying snacks. Best of all it’s FREE!!
Every third Wednesday of the month the Wednesday Club participates in the Green & Groovy recycled art sessions.
Check out the Wednesday Club Blog for more information or call the Library on 02 9976 1747 to make a booking.
Nintendo Wii and Board Games
Manly Library now offers a range of popular Nintendo Wii games for free use within the library. The Wii is available after 3pm Monday to Friday (during school terms) and all day during weekends and school holidays. Also available to play are board-games including Chess, Checkers, Scrabble, Monopoly, Baulderdash, Articulate, Connect Four, Rummicube, Triominoes as well as Uno, playing cards + more. Just ask at the front desk.
Reading Challenges
The Premiers Reading challenge runs every year from February to September. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools.
The Challenge aims to encourage in students a love of reading for leisure and pleasure, and to enable students to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge is an initiative of the NSW State government with principal support from the Dymocks Literacy Foundation and OPSM and media partner, The Sun-Herald.
The Summer Reading Club runs from December through to February each year. Register at the Library to participate.
Participation is simple:
- Read anything you like! Books and magazines, or listen to an audio book.
- List everything on your record sheet.
- Join in the competitions.
Career Resources
Information available at Manly Library
- Job Guide for NSW
- The Good Universities Guide
Information available online
Manly Youth Expressed
Every year the Library exhibits selected works from Manly Art Gallery’s ‘Express Yourself’ Northern Beaches Visual Arts HSC student exhibition. The works are exhibited in the Library for the year, which provides great exposure for the young local artists and in turn keeps the Library colourful.
The Library also welcomes local High Schools to hold exhibitions and launches in the Library. Contact the Library Youth Officer on 02 9976 1731 or email for further information.
To find out more about the ‘Express Yourself’ annual exhibition visit the Manly Art Gallery and Museum.
Every year the library holds a Youth Photography Competition during the Manly Arts Festival in September. Check out the 2011 winner and highly commended entries in the 'Bush to Beach' Youth Photography Competition on the blog.