Poole Library

Due to a delay whilst essential roof repair works continue, Poole Library will be closed Monday - Friday from Wednesday 26 August to Friday 16th October.

The library will be open as normal on Saturdays, 9:00am - 5:00pm between these dates.

Returned items can be dropped off in the returns bin to the left of the entrance.

Nearby Oakdale Library , Parkstone Library, and Hamworthy Library will be open as usual.

Please check for opening hours:https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/libraries/find-a-library

August Bank Holiday
All BCP Council libraries will be closed on Monday 31 August 2026.

To view the catalogue and renew loans or use free online information resources, eBooks, eAudiobooks, newspapers & magazines visit the Libraries web pages bcpcouncil.gov.uk/libraries

We've had several enquiries about eclipse glasses after some information online suggested libraries were giving them away. Unfortunately, BCP Libraries do not have eclipse glasses available.

If you are planning to watch the eclipse, please make sure you follow official safety guidance and use appropriate viewing methods. Government guidance can be found here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/23/how-to-watch-the-solar-eclipse-safely-this-summer/

How to make a Pinhole camera: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/resources/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/

How to watch the solar eclipse safely this summer – UK Health Security Agency On Wednesday 12 August 2026, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK. It's a rare and exciting event that many people will be keen to watch. But looking directly at the Sun without the right protection can cause permanent damage to your

You know how much we love a summer challenge, but to celebrate the National Year of Reading we've got an extra special summer challenge for you this year...

🚪24 local schools have created a beautiful wooden Story Door, based on their favourite book, and there's one hiding in each of our libraries... 👀

So while you're out and about this summer, why not explore a few libraries you might not normally visit, and see how many doors you can find!

You can pick up a trail sheet from any library, or download one from our website:https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Assets/Libraries/Story-Doors-Trail-Map.pdf

Let us know how many you've found so far! 🤩

☀️ Making plans for how you're going to spend the first full week of the summer holidays? We can help with that!

Every library's got fun, FREE drop-crafts, activities and treasure hunts to keep you busy, wherever you are in BCP 🤩 You could...

🐝 Discover the amazing sounds of Dorset's wildlife with the team from Upton Country Park and make your own animatl noise maker to take home!!
📍Creekmoor Library
🗓️ Monday 27 July
🕙 11.30am

📖 Join Sarah and Rowena for stories, activities and a treasure hunt in the Walled Garden at Upton Country Park 🌱
🗓️ Tuesday 28 & Friday 31 July
🕙 10am-1pm

🌊 Learn about water safety with Individuality Swimming
📍Broadstone Library
🗓️ Tuesday 28 July
🕙 11.30am

🎶 Join the Jungle Jam song-writing with Explore Learning
📍Pokesdown and Southbourne Library
🗓️ Thursday 30 July
🕙 10.30-11.30am
🎟️https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/southbourne-library-song-writing-adventure-the-jungle-jam-tickets-1993655064967

📚 And of course you can sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge, Read to the Beat and collect your stickers in any of our libraries

✨ This is just a snippet of the fun on offer next week- for the full listing check out our Summer What's On in Libraries here:https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Assets/Libraries/Reading-challenge/Whats-on-children-and-families-summer-2026.pdf

Which library will you be visiting first?

Over the last few weeks our assembly team have been busy! We have...

🎶 spoken to 20'000 children,
🎟️ handed out 24'000 flyers,
🏫 visited over 50 schools,
☀️ one summer fair
🌿 and Upton Country Park

and now we're super excited to see you in the library! 🤗

1,440 children have already started, and we can't wait for you to join them! 📖

☀️ The sun's shining (in case you haven't noticed), last year's Story Garden sunflower seeds are in full bloom (at Ensbury Park), school's almost out (for most of you), and our library assistants* can't wait to see you...so where else would you rather be?!

Show us how much you love your library this weekend by paying us a visit and signing up to this year's Summer Reading Challenge, Read to the Beat! 🎵🎶📖✨

*Library Assistants pictured not guaranteed in your library, sorry.


The Reading Agency

Beyond the pages of our books, creativity is thriving across our local community!

We wanted to shine a spotlight on a brilliant upcoming event that's perfect for anyone interested in art, design, media, and performance.

On Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026, Arts University Bournemouth will host its flagship AUB Festival of Creativity.

If you have young creatives in the family, are looking for weekend inspiration, or want to view the incredible work of this year's graduating students, this campus-wide festival is a must-visit.

Entry is free, and no booking is required to explore.
Head over to the AUB website to see what's on: https://aub.ac.uk/latest/aub-festival-of-creativity-2026 🎨✨

AUB Festival of Creativity 2026 This summer, we’re launching the Festival of Creativity 2026, an exciting new event set against the backdrop of our vibrant Undergraduate...

Bournemouth Library is currently experiencing IT issues and has no internet access.

You can still borrow and return books, but you must have your library card to borrow items.

There is no access to public computers, printing, photocopying or Wi-Fi, and we are unable to take card payments.

*** IT services have now resumed ***