Forrestfield Library is one of those places that quietly becomes part of your weekly routine once you discover everything it has to offer. Tucked inside Hawaiian’s Forrestfield Shopping Centre, it’s the kind of spot you can duck into for a quick book swap or happily lose an hour in with the kids in tow.
One of the best parts is the dedicated children’s area. Alongside a solid range of books for every age and reading level, there are games, puzzles, story toy bags and an interactive TV to keep small hands and minds occupied. It turns a library visit into an outing in itself, rather than a quick stop to grab a book and go.
There’s plenty of seating scattered throughout too, whether you’re curling up together to read, the kids are busy with an activity, or an older child needs a quiet spot to study.
We’ve also had fun poking around the leaf and stick bug investigation area, a small but clever addition that gets curious kids to slow down and look closely at the natural world. And of course, letting everyone pick their own books to bring home never gets old.
Beyond the browsing, there’s almost always something on. During school terms, Rhymetime runs on Thursdays at 9.30am, a short 20 to 25 minute session of rhymes, actions and songs for the little ones, followed by Storytime at 11am, a 45-minute session built around stories, songs, rhymes and craft. For school-aged kids, Discover & Create runs on Saturdays from 10am to 11am during term time, mixing science, art and technology into hands-on sessions. Parents need to stick around to supervise, but there’s no need to book, just turn up. The library also runs extra activities during the school holidays, so it’s worth checking what’s on before each break.
There’s a full weekly program running across the branch, including a German conversation group on Monday mornings, English conversation classes and a Knit ‘n’ Yarn group on Tuesdays, a Be Connected tech help session on Thursday afternoons, and a Movie Matinee on select Fridays each month. A Justice of the Peace is also available at set times on Monday and Thursday, no appointment needed, so it’s worth bringing photo ID if you need something signed or witnessed while you’re there.
It’s not just a space for the kids either. Members get up to two hours of free computer and internet access, with fees applying after that, and children 12 and under need parental permission to get online. There’s self-service printing, photocopying and scanning in black and white or colour, plus laminating, which comes in handy for school projects or activities at home.
For anyone who can’t get to the library in person, a fortnightly Home Delivery Service is available, and it’s worth having a chat to staff if that sounds useful for your family. There’s also a recycling station on site, and a small range of handy items for sale, including FOGO caddies and liners, library bags, USB devices and earbuds for the public computers. You can even take care of select City of Kalamunda rate payments and pet registrations while you’re there, which makes ticking off a bit of life admin surprisingly easy.
Joining is free and straightforward. You’ll need proof of identity and your current address to sign up in person, and kids under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign for them. Parents also need to stay with children aged 0 to 12 while they’re in the library. Each card allows up to 20 items on loan for four weeks at a time, with extensions possible if nothing’s overdue or reserved by someone else. The collection covers far more than books, think audiobooks, DVDs, music CDs, magazines, large print titles, language-learning resources and books in languages other than English. There are no overdue fines at the moment, though lost or damaged items and replacement cards do incur a cost.
If you’d rather browse from the couch, the City of Kalamunda’s eLibrary gives members access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, streaming and more, available any time. You can register as an eMember online to start using these digital services straight away, though you’ll still need to visit in person to become a full member and borrow physical items.
Forrestfield is one of four City of Kalamunda library branches, alongside Kalamunda, High Wycombe and Lesmurdie, so if it’s not your closest, there are other options nearby. Each branch has its own flavour of programs, from Storytime and Rhymetime to things like LEGO sessions, Crafternoon and Mahjong, so it’s worth checking what each one offers.
As always, programs, activities and opening hours can shift around school holidays and public holidays, so it’s a good idea to check the City of Kalamunda website before heading in, especially if you’re making a special trip. For us, Forrestfield Library has become far more than a place to borrow books. It’s a free, welcoming space where the kids can read, play and explore, and where we can tick off a bit of admin too, right in our own neighbourhood.
Forrestfield Library
Shops 26 and 27F, Hawaiian’s Shopping Centre, 20 Strelitzia Avenue, Forrestfield WA 6058
Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9am–5pm; Thursday 9am–7pm; Saturday 9am–12noon; Sunday Closed
www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/facility-details/forrestfield-library
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