Community Languages

Community language collections

We have books for children and adults, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, and CDs in 15 different community languages.

  • عَرَبيْ (Arabic) - Coburg, Fawkner and Glenroy. Brunswick (magazines only)
  • 中文 (Chinese) - Brunswick, Coburg, and Glenroy
  • Hrvatski (Croatian) - Coburg
  • Français (French) - Coburg
  • Deutsch (German) - Brunswick and Glenroy (magazines only)
  • ελληνικά (Greek) - Brunswick, Coburg, and Glenroy
  • हिंदी (Hindi) - Coburg
  • Italiano (Italian) - All Moreland libraries
  • नेपाली (Nepali) - Coburg and Glenroy
  • Polski (Polish) - Glenroy
  • Српски (Serbian) - Coburg (magazines only)
  • සිංහල (Sinhala) - Glenroy
  • Español (Spanish) - Coburg and Brunswick
  • Türkçe (Turkish) - Coburg and Glenroy
  • اردو (Urdu) - Fawkner and Glenroy

There are also books, dictionaries, kits, and online resources for learning English and other languages.

Bilingual books and DVDs

Moreland libraries have a selection of children’s picture books, picture dictionaries, ESL learning materials, and world movie DVDs in additional community languages alongside English text or subtitles. You can search to see what is available on our Moreland City Libraries library catalogue (Libero).

Suggestions and requests

We welcome suggestions for new items in community languages that are suitable for the library collection. You can make a suggestion for a new item in a community language using the form on our How to borrow page.

Before you suggest an item, please check to see if we already have the item in the library catalogue.

Community language collections at other Victorian libraries

You can find information about community language items for all Victorian libraries on the Public Libraries Victoria website. If items in a community language are not held by Moreland City Libraries you can request up to 10 items from another Victorian library for free. Please email ill@moreland.vic.gov.au or call 9389 8600 if you would like to request a bulk loan.

Community language eResources

Access to all online library resources (also known as eResources) requires using your Moreland City Libraries member details. You will need to log in using your library card number (e.g. A2000301xxxxxxxB). Your password is your date of birth in 8 numbers (e.g. DDMMYYYY).

eBooks, eMagazines, and eAudiobooks

Digital materials in community languages are available through the Moreland City Libraries Overdrive website. You can also read eBooks, eMagazines, and Audiobooks when you are offline by downloading the Libby app from the Google Play Store website or from the Apple App Store website. 

Newspapers and magazines

Access national and local newspapers and magazines from around the world in their original languages on the Press Reader website. 

Language learning

We offer access to an online preparation and practice resource for learning how to read, write and speak English. This preparation and practice resource is called Road to IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The resource is available at two levels which you can learn about on the Clarity English website:

If you are looking to learn and prepare for realistic conversations and communication in a new language, we recommend using the tools on the Mango languages website. The tools on this site are available in over 70 world languages including Spanish, French, Greek, Italian, and English.

Multicultural events

Conversation Cafe

Conversation Cafe is a weekly social group for adults who speak English as a second language and anyone interested in intercultural conversations. At Conversation Cafe you can practice speaking and listening in English. Updated times, dates, and locations of Conversation Cafe sessions are available on our Learning English and other languages page.

Community language storytimes

Community language storytimes are suitable for preschool children and their families. Enjoy songs, stories, and craft activities with your child as they develop their language skills and love of reading.

You can view community language storytime session details on our Moreland City Libraries Eventbrite page. You can also find more of our online storytime sessions on the Moreland City Libraries YouTube channel.

Italian storytime

Italian storytime is held at Coburg Library monthly at 10.30 am on the following dates:

Tuesday 7 June  

Tuesday 5 July              

Tuesday 2 August

Tuesday 6 September 

Tuesday 4 October

Tuesday 8 November  

Tuesday 6 December

Urdu storytime

Urdu storytime is held at Fawkner Library monthly at 10.30 am on the following dates:

Monday 9 May

Monday 6 June

Monday 4 July

Monday 1 August

Monday 5 September

Monday 3 October

Monday 7 November

Monday 5 December

Cultural events

Events celebrating the diversity of Moreland are regularly held at Moreland City Libraries. These include cooking demonstrations, dance and musical performances, personal experiences, and celebrating significant dates. You can see what cultural events are coming up at Moreland City Libraries on our Library activities and events page.

Additional resources

Translated resources

Multicultural organisations