Find out about the latest developments, events and opportunities across Camden Libraries, including new services and ways to share your views.
Library closures
Adjusted opening times due to proposed Tube strikes
Due to the planned tube strikes all Camden Libraries will have amended opening hours on:
- Tuesday 24 March - all branches will open in the morning at their regular times and close at 5pm
- Wednesday 25 March - 11am to 5pm
- Thursday 26 March - 11am to 5pm
- Friday 27 March - 11am to 5pm
Libraries will open as usual on Saturday 28 March. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Easter opening times
- 3 April (Good Friday) – all libraries closed
- 4 April (Easter Saturday) – libraries open as usual
- 5 April (Easter Sunday) – all libraries closed
- 6 April (Bank Holiday) – all libraries closed
There are several library services you can use online:
- check your library account, renew your items or reserve a book
- browse our online reference information
- get e-books, e-audio, e-magazines and e-comics from our Digital library
- find learning resources to support children with their learning
May Elections
West Hampstead Library will be closed on Thursday 7 May, as it will be used as a polling station for May’s election. The library will reopen at the usual time on Friday 8 May. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Accessing alternative library services
Your nearest library is Kilburn Library, 12-22 Kilburn High Road, NW6 5UH. You can also access our digital library, which offers a wide range of books, audio books, and more.
Pancras Square Library closure
Pancras Square Library will be closed from Friday 8 May until midday on Saturday 9 May.
Due to the local election, the Council will be counting votes at Pancras Square library on Friday 8 May.
The upper ground floor (Children’s Library & Café) and first floor (Main Library) will be used for media, party reps, and counting staff, including storage of personal belongings.
Accessing alternative library services
Your nearest library for access to Public PC’s, printing and photocopying is Holborn Library, 32-38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8NX.
Camden Town Library
From Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 May the Learning Centre at Camden Town Library will not be available for use as it will be set up as a polling station for the local elections on 7 May. Public PCs and printing will not be accessible during this period, however, the main library will still be open its usual hours.
The Learning Centre will re-open on Saturday 9 May, when public PCs and printing will be accessible again.
If you wish to print during this time and Camden Town Library is the library you usually use, your nearest library for access to Public PC's and printing is Kentish Town Library, 262 – 266 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA.
Free SIM Cards for residents
If you're struggling or know someone who is struggling to afford mobile data or staying connected, we may be able to help.
We’ve partnered with the Good Things Foundation as part of the National Databank to provide free SIM cards and mobile data to residents who need support accessing the internet. Visit the Free SIM cards for residents page to find out more.
Dollywood Foundation and the Imagination Library
We are working with the Dollywood Foundation to offer the Imagination Library in Camden funded by The People’s Postcode Lottery. To find out how you can register your children to receive a free book each month until their fifth birthday, visit the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library page.
Share your thoughts on Rhyme Time and the library
If you have a child under 5, let us know what you enjoy about Rhyme Time and the library and what could be improved. If you also use Camden’s Children’s Centres and Family Hubs, we’d love to hear how they support you.
Your feedback helps us improve services for all Camden families.
Reading Well for families
Browse the Reading Well for families, a new collection supporting the mental health and wellbeing of families during pregnancy and the early years (from conception to age two). Available in all Camden Libraries, this evidence-based book collection provides crucial mental health support for parents, carers, and their wider networks mental health and wellbeing during the first 1,001 days of a child's life.
The Reading Well for families collection, developed by The Reading Agency in partnership with Libraries Connected and Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) Cymru, recommends helpful reading on topics such as parental wellbeing, perinatal mental health problems (including anxiety, depression, OCD, and birth trauma), and coping with loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death).
The full list of titles can be viewed on the Reading Agency website.
The books can be borrowed for free from your local library. The collection is available in multiple formats including physical books, eBooks, audiobooks. Browse our digital collections on Libby and BorrowBox.
Borrow a ukulele
Borrow a Ukulele from Swiss Cottage library. Find out more and book.
Community Café
Come and try the tasty food at the new Community Café run by Lifeafterhummus, at Pancras Square Library. The café is open Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 5.30pm.
Contacting the Council at your local library
Courtesy phones have recently been reinstated in all Camden Libraries except Pancras Square Library where residents can speak with a team member at Contact Camden. This means you can speak with someone and complete tasks by using the phone at the library. Ask the library team if you need assistance.