North Watford Library
BEST FOR
Ages 0-12
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Watford
What it’s like
Free rhyme times, Storytime and LEGO clubs for babies through to twelve-year-olds, plus quiet Saturdays if your lot need the calm.
Books are the obvious bit, but the sessions are what'll fill your week. Baby Rhyme Time for the smallest, Storytime for pre-schoolers who'll sit still for a story, LEGO clubs for five to eleven-year-olds, and creative workshops once they hit eight. Zoolab sessions bring animals in for handling, which is the one your kids will still be talking about on the way home.
Entry is free, which is the main reason this makes the list. The only things that cost are the extras: 20p for an A4 black and white photocopy, £3 for half an hour on a computer if you're not a member. Join up and you get two hours of computer time free, plus free Wi-Fi and the Hublet tablets.
Baby Rhyme Time places are limited, and whether you need to book varies from library to library, so ring ahead if it's the whole reason you're going. Storytime is drop-in, no booking needed. If you've got a little one who finds the noise a lot, the Quiet Hour on Saturdays from 9.30am to 10.30am keeps the lights low and the volume down, which is a genuinely thoughtful touch.
Opening hours catch people out. Closed all day Thursday and Sunday, and shut on every bank holiday. Friday doesn't open until 1pm, which rules out a morning trip, while Saturday finishes at 4pm. No parking on site, only public parking nearby, though there is disabled parking.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 0 to 5 for rhyme and story sessions; LEGO and workshops suit 5 to 12
- Booking
- Most sessions are drop-in. Some libraries use Eventbrite for Baby Rhyme Time, check yours first
- Parking
- Public parking nearby, plus disabled parking
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair access. Accessibility info and staff discussion by email
- Worth knowing
- Library members get 2 hours free computer use
- Closed every Thursday and Sunday, plus all bank holidays
- Friday doesn't open until 1pm, so no morning trip that day
- Baby Rhyme Time places are limited and booking rules vary by library
- Members get two hours of free computer use
- Quiet Hour is Saturday 9.30am to 10.30am
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Free to come in and borrow. Charges only apply to photocopying, from 20p for A4 black and white, and computer use if you're not a member.
When is the library open?
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9.30am to 6pm, Friday 1pm to 6pm, Saturday 9.30am to 4pm. Closed Thursday, Sunday and all bank holidays.
Do we need to book Baby Rhyme Time?
It varies between libraries. Rhyme Time is free with donations welcome and places are limited, so check with this one before you travel. Storytime is drop-in.
What is there for older kids?
LEGO sessions for five to eleven-year-olds and creative workshops for eight to twelve-year-olds. Zoolab animal handling sessions run at libraries too.
Can we just turn up?
For browsing and Storytime, yes. Some libraries use booking for Baby Rhyme Time, so that's the one to ask about first.
Is it quiet at any point?
Saturday 9.30am to 10.30am is a Quiet Hour, with low light and no noisy activity. Worth knowing if your child needs the calm.
Can I use a computer?
Members get two hours free, then 4p a minute. If you're not a member it's £3 for 30 minutes. Fridays 1pm to 4pm a Digital Champion offers one-to-one help.
What about parking?
There's no parking on site. Public parking is nearby and there are disabled spaces.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, and there's a hearing loop. If you want to talk through access needs, staff deal with it by email.
Can we come as a group?
Group bookings are available, so a childminding or home ed group can arrange a visit.
Is there anything for babies?
Baby Rhyme Time, free with donations welcome. Places are limited so it's worth finding out about booking.
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