Take advantage of our free Wi-Fi, available in every library. Perfect for remote working, study, research, to catch up on admin or for relaxing away from home. Connect via your own laptop, tablet or smart phone with your library card number and PIN. 

All of our libraries also have computers with internet access which are free to use.

We also offer low cost printing facilities, and you can print from your own device or by logging into our computers

Find out more about library computers, wifi and the help available to use our computers.

Please remember to bring headphones if you want to watch, listen or to use a screen reading app on our computers or your own device. Our computers are unable to pair to Bluetooth devices. 

Save money and space on your bookshelves by visiting your local library

With the average price of paperback fiction being typically £8.99 and an average recommended retail price of £20 for new release hardback fiction, being a bookworm can be an expensive hobby if you haven't got a library card!

You can borrow any books from our shelves for FREE and, if you can't find what you're looking for, you can order in any title from the entire Kent catalogue for just £1. If you have a disability, mental health needs or are an informal carer, you can reserve items for free with our exempt card.

Search our online catalogue

• Unsure of where to start? Watch our 'How to Guides' on YouTube 
• There are many ways our library services can come to you if you can’t get to your local library, or don't have time to visit. Find out more about library services direct to you, your family and friends.

Thousands of children's books, order in and borrow for free!

Can’t find what you want on our shelves? It's free for all families to order books and other items via our online catalogue with a child or teen library card, and you can ask us to deliver these to any library or mobile library stop in Kent of your choice, saving on journey costs.

There are no charges for any books lost or damaged while borrowed on a pre-school child’s ticket, plus there are no late return charges for items borrowed on child or teen card (under 18s). Babies (from birth), children and teenagers can become library members. If a parent, carer or guardian confirms their details, they can borrow up to 30 items at a time on their card

Search our online catalogue

• Unsure of where to start? Watch our 'How to Guides' on YouTube 
• Looking for support with studying at home? Take a look at our Home Learning resources

We've added new apps to our eLibrary offer, giving you access to even more of your favourite reads and top titles for free 

• Libby Borrow bestsellers and read or listen anytime, anywhere. This app is loved by millions of readers worldwide. We hit over 3 million loans last year, with Kent Libraries members enjoying thousands of different eBook and eAudio titles for free, including bestselling fiction and non fiction, children's and teen books and eComics. You can also access over 3000 magazines with the Libby app, including National Geographic, The Economist, BBC Good Food, Gardeners World magazine, Vogue, Empire, Hello!, New Scientist, Radio Times, Reader's Digest and more! 
  
  
• BorrowBox Download the free app and log in with your library card for access to brilliant eAudio content, including Audible exclusive titles. Listen to eAudiobooks by authors such as Margaret Atwood, James Patterson, Lee Child, Kate Atkinson, Ian McEwan, Bill Bryson, Matt Haig, David Baldacci, Julia Donaldson and many more!
  
  
• ULibrary This app offers even more exclusive eAudio content, including authors such as Catherine Cookson, Dilly Court, Kate Ellis and Katie Flynn, M.C.Beaton, Anne Cleeves, Clive Cussler, Nora Roberts, Robert Galbraith and many more.
  
  
• PressReader gives you unlimited access to thousands of magazines and newspapers from around the world so you can stay connected to the stories you love. Read daily UK newspapers and bestselling magazines for free.
  
  
• Visit the Global Access Newsbank website to read today's edition of The Times.

Download now!

• Having trouble? We'll happily guide you through using and setting up these apps, contact our Ask a Kent Librarian team
• Or watch our 'How to Guides' on YouTube

Did you know? You can also borrow all of these from your local library for free!

If you have an exempt library card you can also reserve and borrow audiobooks on CD for free.

• Storysacks large cloth bags containing a children's picture book with themed supporting materials, usually soft character toys, a non fiction book and puzzles! They help make reading more memorable and support children with their own storytelling. 
  
  Search for "storysack" on our online catalogue to see which stories are available.

 

• Reading Sparks kits Aimed at children between 8 to 11 years old, Reading Sparks are boxes containing a book, activity sheets and materials to conduct your own science experiments at home!
  
  Check to see if kits are available to borrow from your local library.
  
  

• micro:bits The micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that you can program and physically interact with.
  
  Get in contact with your local library to see if you can borrow a micro:bit with your Kent library card. Find creative projects and free resources on the micro:bit website. 
  
  
• Pictures to Share a lovely series of books that can help support those living with dementia. There are 20 different titles and they help prompt conversation about a wide range of subjects using pictures, quotes and poetry.
  
  You can reserve these dementia friendly titles to collect from your chosen library for free with an exempt library card, which you are entitled to if you have, or care for someone with a disability or mental health needs
  
  

• Bag Books multisensory stories designed to be enjoyed by both adults and children with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities. They can also be enjoyed by those living with autism and people with visual and hearing impairments.
  
  Search for "Bag Books" on our online catalogue to see which stories are available.

If you ever need a place to work or study away from home, university or the office, why not pop along to your local library?

Most of our libraries offer spaces for individuals to work or study, and many have spaces for small groups and meetups.

• Take advantage of our free WiFi, computer and printing facilities, available at every library in Kent.
• Discover a wealth of learning, reference and research resources including access to over 30 online subscriptions, free with your library membership

Wherever or whatever you are studying, researching or working on we have librarians, books and online resources to help you.

Pop into your local library and have a chat with us to find out more or contact our Ask a Kent Librarian team.

Check for local updates and availability before your visit.

Interested in history, researching your local area or family tree? 

Kent Libraries and Kent Archives are venues to explore local, family and community history.

Our resources include:

• The Kent History and Library Centre, Maidstone, our flagship centre for local, family and community history, including almost 8 miles of history collections!
• Local history collections in the main district libraries, including census records, photographs, maps, newspapers, memorabilia and books
• The Kent Libraries catalogue and Kent Archives catalogue online
• Free access to websites including Ancestry Library Edition and Find My Past Community Edition via our free public computers in libraries
• Free access to historic newspaper websites including The British Newspaper Archive - Community Edition and The Times Digital Archive
• Help from library staff and volunteers
• Spaces for research and study, meeting and discussion
• Regular history exhibitions, displays and talks
• Advice and contact details for joining local history, community and heritage groups

For more information visit our website and contact your local library to see what's on offer

Did you know? We hold events and exhibitions across Kent and online.

• Author Talks
  We often hold author talks in our libraries. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and on Eventbrite for updates.

• Living Knowledge Network
  Kent Libraries and Archives are part of The British Library's Living Knowledge Network, which brings world-class speakers, emerging voices and inspirational debate to public libraries and the people who use them. Compelling cultural events are livestreamed and hosted in libraries across the UK, so you can get a front-row seat for free no matter where you live.

Take a look at our Living Knowledge Network site to learn more about exhibitions held by Kent Libraries

Explore the Living Knowledge Network website to watch past events on demand and discover what's coming up across the UK

• Online events - watch on demand 
  Catch up with our recorded events and interviews online via our YouTube channel. 
  
  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated about new uploads
  

Video not loading? Watch on YouTube

D&D, bridge, scrabble, chess, crib, board games, jigsaw puzzles and more! Friendly groups for adults who want to meet and chat while doing an activity.

A great opportunity to make friends and socialise. Find your nearest group

Many of our libraries host crafting sessions and creative writing groups. These are friendly, informal groups and everyone's welcome.

Come along, pick up some skills, share your own, or bring your own craft along. No skills or experience? No problem! Our lovely volunteers and group members offer tuition and skill sharing including knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, sewing, embroidery, creative writing and poetry.

Meet like-minded people, learn new skills and see what you can create. Find your nearest group

Learning English?

Come along to our meet and practise sessions to meet new people and practise speaking in an informal and friendly place. 

Find your nearest group

Meet new people, have exciting debates and pick up books you would never have imagined reading at one of our reading groups. 

We are proud to support over 700 reading groups across the county. Whether you are younger, older, have a disability, or are just not a regular reader, there's probably a reading group for you. Many welcome new members. We also host Beyond Word book clubs for people who find pictures easier to understand than words.

If you are interested in joining a reading group at the library, find a group near you using our postcode search

Save some money by borrowing your next book club choice from the library. Our reading group library cards enable groups to reserve multiple copies of books which we have in stock or individual titles for free, with no charges for late returns, and to borrow books for 8 weeks

Get in touch with your local library to see how we can support your existing book club, or if you'd like to start a new reading group. 

Our relaxed and friendly tea and chat sessions give our library users a chance to meet new friends and take part in quizzes, reminiscence and outings.

A perfect opportunity to enjoy a cup of tea and have a good chat. Find your nearest group

A free, fun and noisy way for under 3s to develop a love of language and a foundation for learning.

Each session lasts about 20 minutes and includes the opportunity to join in with nursery rhymes, action songs and to have a catch up with other local families.

Find your nearest Baby Rhyme Time session using our postcode search.

Join us at Playground, an exciting programme of free creative play sessions for very young children!

Led by a team of brilliant artists and musicians, families with babies and toddlers are sharing creative play in libraries and children's centres across Kent. Gain confidence, tips and ideas for continuing creative play at home. 

Find your nearest Playground session using our postcode search.

Video not loading? Watch on YouTube

Come and join one of our storytime sessions - it's great fun!

Listening to stories is a great way to develop and encourage young children to read books.

Find your nearest Storytime using our postcode search.

We hold lots of regular, free events and activities for children and families in libraries across Kent.

Lego Clubs, Code Clubs, Homework Clubs, Storytimes, seasonal craft activities and more! 

Find out what's on near you.

Children, teenagers and students can study in any of our libraries across Kent. 

You can reserve books and other items via our online catalogue for free on a child or teen library card, to collect from any chosen library in Kent. We have a huge selection of books and other resources specially chosen to help children with their homework.

With permission from a parent or guardian, under 16s can log onto our public PCs and WiFi for free using their library card details. Children and young people under 18 in full-time education can also claim free printouts and photocopying for homework (up to 5 sheets per day) at any library in Kent. 

• At home and stuck with homework? Why not Ask A Kent Librarian for help?
  
  
• Visit our Home Learning online hub for loads of free resources and book recommendations listed by subject.
  
  
• Some libraries have Homework Clubs too for KS 1 to 4 (primary and secondary school age children). Find a club near you
  
  No Homework Clubs near you? Get in touch with your local library if you would like to start and host a club. 

Worried about your energy bills? Interested in finding out how you could save money and stay warm? Keep an eye out for free sessions at your local library, courtesy of Green Doctors Kent.

They host drop-in sessions at venues across Kent where you can book in to have a consultation in person and speak to a team member face to face about your energy concerns. They update their locations and availability on a monthly basis so look out for when they are near you! These advice sessions can help with:

• Support with energy and water debt by accessing/applying eligible discounts
• Practical energy advice to reduce energy waste and lower bills
• Checking for cheaper tariffs and deals
• Assessing bills & explaining statements
• Onward referrals for help with food, white goods and warm items
• Providing free energy saving measures & explaining their use
• Accessing grants for insulation measures or repairs relating to energy performance
  
  *To prepare please arrive with your latest bill statements and any letters relating to your queries.

Find a session near you

Digital Hubs are spaces where Kent residents can go to get support from Digital Champions.

To get digital support and learn new digital skills, anyone can book onto one of the sessions being held in a Hub, often in Kent Libraries.

Find a session near you

There are lots of different funding opportunities available to community organisations, or anyone leading a project with a public benefit.
As a local authority, Kent County Council offer lots of funding programmes you can apply for directly. There are more schemes to explore from other local authorities, public bodies or businesses too.

Find and apply for funding from Kent County Council and other organisations, search through funding guides and resources and find out more about Crowdfund Kent, helping community-led projects around Kent raise funds from local donations.

Social tariffs for broadband are discounted deals offered by various broadband providers to support households on low income or in financial hardship. Access to good quality, reliable broadband is essential. Social tariffs help people access cheaper deals and could save eligible households around £150 per year.

Digital Kent have put together some information about the providers who offer discounted broadband deals and how to apply for them

Have you heard of our Reading Well collection?

Reading Well supports you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading. Reading Well booklists include children, teens, mental health, long term conditions and dementia.

All of the books are recommended by health experts, as well as people with lived experience of the conditions and topics covered and their relatives and carers and are free to reserve and borrow from Kent Libraries.

Video not loading? Watch on YouTube

Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help.

Free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health concern from a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide expert support. Head to their website to get in contact

With You is a charity offering free talking therapies like counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in Kent.

They can help with a range of mental health problems, including stress, anxiety and depression. You don’t need a referral from your GP but you do need to be aged 17 or over and to be registered with a GP in Kent

Head to their website to  complete a self-referral form