I came upon this library via serendipity. We stopped at the TYTO Complex in Ingham to have a look at the wetlands (where we saw a crocodile – yikes!). As I was meandering along at the complex, I stumbled upon the library! Whoa! What a great explorer I was! This was my 9th library visit during a recent family road trip to Queensland.

Date and time of visit: Thursday, 12 September 2019; 2.20pm

Features: The Hinchinbrook Shire Library is part of the TYTO Complex in Ingham. It offers traditional and digital library services to the community of the Hinchinbrook Shire and is a member of a network of libraries in regional Queensland. They also offer free books and other reading material for clients to take permanently.

Overall impression: I love the contemporary feel of the physical library space. Yes, the library was in a spanking brand new building! At the time of my visit, there were only the following clients:

• a couple of tourists asking a library staff where something was;
• 2 young female clients in the study area; and
• a group of elderly clients attending a computer class

What I found fantastic about this library was that visitors (tourists or non-locals) could become members and borrow and return items in any of the participating libraries (locations in towns from Balonne to Goondiwindi to Weipa) of the Rural Libraries Queensland. What an excellent service especially for those that were travelling on the road like we were – except you know what, at the time of my visit I didn’t have my ID with me so I couldn’t join. Bummer! They were also open 7 days a week (!!) from 10 am – 4 pm. Amazing! And thank you to the super friendly and helpful library staff at the counter who answered all of my questions enthusiastically.