Southcote Library

What it’s like

A free local library with books to borrow, no fines, and computers or laptops you can use on the spot or take home.

Books are the obvious reason to pop in, and there's no fines here if they come back late, which takes the pressure off with younger kids who treat return dates as a suggestion. There's free wifi, on site tablets and computers, and if you need a laptop at home they'll lend you one with data included, which is a proper help if you don't have a setup there already.

It's also just a quiet spot to sit and work or read, with study space if you need somewhere that isn't your kitchen table. Everything's free, no booking needed, so you can turn up whenever the doors are open.

The hours are a bit of a patchwork though. Tuesday's the long day, open in the morning and again from 1 to 7, but Thursday afternoon closes at 4 and Friday's just the morning session. Saturday's a short 10 to 1 window, so if you're planning a weekend visit that's really your only slot, and it's worth building your week around Tuesday evening if you want more flexibility. Christmas and Easter hours shift too, so they post updates on their Twitter and Facebook pages if you're going over a holiday.

Facilities

Plan your visit

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