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Brighton and Hove City Council

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Get help and see how services are affected

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  2. Libraries, leisure and arts
  3. Libraries

Libraries

Where our libraries are in Brighton & Hove, how to join, what you can borrow, and how we can help you get online.

Library services available during Covid-19

Library services available during COVID-19

Our libraries will remain closed while the latest national lockdown is in place. Digital and enquiry services remain available.

Digital library services and online activities available during Covid-19

Find out about the online resources that you can enjoy for free from home with library membership.

Borrow, renew and reserve

Borrow, renew and reserve library items

Use our online catalogue or visit a library to find, reserve and renew books and other items. You can also renew items by phone on 0303 123 0035.

What you can borrow from our libraries and for how long

It's free to borrow books, music scores, eBooks and eAudiobooks. You can have most items on loan for up to 6 weeks.

Borrow electronic books and audiobooks 

eBooks and eAudiobooks are electronic versions of books and audiobooks. Members can read and listen to books and comics online through our 2 eBook services called BorrowBox and RBDigital.

How to borrow items from other libraries

If you can’t find a specific book or item in our libraries, you might be able to borrow it from a library outside Brighton & Hove. This service is currently suspended.

Fees for library services

It’s free to join our libraries and borrow items. Check how much we charge for overdue books, photocopying and other library services.

Extra opening hours in our libraries

You can visit some of our libraries outside staffed hours. We call this service Libraries Extra.

Join a library

Join our libraries

It's free to become a member. You can register online or come in to one of our libraries and give us your address.

Find a library

Find a library, their opening times, contact information, and what you can do there.

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Computers and the internet

Use the computers in our libraries

Library members can use the computers for free for up to an hour, printers for a small fee and scanners for free. Anyone can use the photocopiers for a small fee.

Get help using a computer or another digital device

Free Library Connect sessions are run by volunteers to help people use a computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, eBook reader or the internet. Speak to a librarian to find out more.

Use our free online resources

Library members can use our online resources for free, such as encyclopedias, biographies and academic research. You'll need your library card number to log in to most of these.

Library activities

Find reading and writing groups

We host reading and writing groups across Brighton & Hove. Find out how to join an existing group or start your own.

Events for children and families in our libraries

We host Baby Boogie, story time, and other play sessions for children under 5 years old in our libraries.

Volunteer in our libraries

Find out what volunteer roles we have in our libraries, and how to apply.

How to hire a room in our libraries

We have different rooms you can hire in our libraries for meetings, conferences and events.

How to hire exhibition space in our libraries

We have different spaces you can hire in our libraries for exhibitions, or to promote your services.

Free book packs for children

Every family in Brighton & Hove can get free book packs to encourage their children to read.

Find rare books and special collections

We have rare books and special collections in Jubilee and Hove libraries that you can arrange to view.

Exhibitions and events in libraries

Find out what exhibitions and information events are happening in the current month.

Library support

How our libraries support people with special educational needs and disabilities

We have a home delivery service, so you can get library items delivered to your home. We also have audiobooks and books in large print, and all our libraries are wheelchair accessible.

Get help using a computer or another digital device

Free Library Connect sessions are run by volunteers to help people use a computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, eBook reader or the internet. Speak to a librarian to find out more.

What to do if you lose your library card

If you lose your library card, go to one of our libraries or phone 01273 290 800 to let us know. You'll need to pay a small fee to replace it.

Help to start, protect and grow a business

The Business & IP Centre (BIPC) will open at Jubilee Library in 2020. Here you can get support to start and grow a business.

How libraries can help schools

Brighton & Hove Libraries play an important part in the way children learn, discover and study. Find out how libraries support teachers, school children and young people.

How to donate to the Libraries Legacy Fund

Find out how you can donate money to help libraries provide events and activities.

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Contact us

Contact the libraries team

Get in touch with the libraries team for help, information and support.

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