When I was living in Los Angeles, I went to the Santa Monica library (the courtyard of which is pictured above) four or five times a week. As a member, I could (and often did) borrow up to fifty items at any one time. They have the best film and entertainment section in the world. I eagerly devoured bios and autobios of cinema greats, celebrated and obscure, and delighted to find all the latest new release books on the up-to-date shelves in fiction.
In Sydney, I visit the recently remodeled Woollhara library each week, as well as drop-ins to Paddo, Surry Hills and Waverly libraries. They all have charm, serenity and allure. They are sanctuaries. Indeed, if I was a philanthropist I would donate serious bucks to these bastions of books.