Find out about the latest developments, events and opportunities across Camden Libraries, including new services and ways to share your views.
Camden libraries receive national Sanctuary award as Refugee Week begins
Camden’s libraries have been recognised as Libraries of Sanctuary by the City of Sanctuary UK, marking their commitment to providing welcoming, inclusive and safe spaces for people seeking sanctuary.
The national award celebrates libraries that go above and beyond to welcome refugees, people seeking asylum and others new to the UK – offering not only access to learning and information, but also community, connection and support.
Library closures
Temporary closure of Learning Centre for polling station use
From Wednesday 7 to Friday 9 October the Learning Centre at Camden Town Library will be used as a polling station for the Constituency by-election. Public PCs and printing will not be accessible during this period. The main library will still be open, with usual hours.
The Learning Centre will re-open on Saturday 10 October, when public PCs and printing will be accessible again.
Accessing alternative library services
Your nearest library for access to Public PCs and printing is:
- Pancras Square library, 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG - on Wednesday 7 October and until 4pm on Thursday 8 October when the library closes for the election count
- Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road NW3 3HA - Wednesday 7 to Friday 9 October
Temporary closure of Pancras Square Library
Pancras Square library will close at 5pm on Thursday 8 October and reopen on Friday 9 October at midday due to the space being used for the election count.
Staff training day
On Thursday 15 October all libraries will be closed to allow staff to attend an all-day training day. Libraries will reopen as usual on Friday 16 October.
Temporary closure of Kentish Town Library for essential improvement works
We’ll be carrying out work to improve the library’s heating, cooling and ventilation systems from 5 October to 15 November. The library needs to close while the work takes place because some of it will be carried out overhead.
The improvements will help keep Kentish Town Library at a more comfortable temperature throughout the year.
Use another library during the closure
You can use Queens Crescent Library or Camden Town Library during the closure. You can continue to access library services at both libraries.
Kilburn Library
Kilburn Library will be closed from Monday 11 May for refurbishment. A temporary pop-up library will open on Monday 1 June at Abbey Community Centre.
The address is 172 Belsize Road, NW6 4BJ (opens in Google maps).
The opening hours are:
- Monday, 10am to 7pm
- Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm (closed 1pm to 2pm)
- Friday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm (closed 1pm to 2pm)
You'll be able to borrow books from the pop-up library. For public PC access, your nearest Camden library branches are Swiss Cottage Library and West Hampstead Library. Find more information in our poster.
Free SIM Cards for residents
If you're struggling or know someone who is struggling to afford mobile data or staying connected, we may be able to help.
We’ve partnered with the Good Things Foundation as part of the National Databank to provide free SIM cards and mobile data to residents who need support accessing the internet. Visit the Free SIM cards for residents page to find out more.
Dollywood Foundation and the Imagination Library
We are working with the Dollywood Foundation to offer the Imagination Library in Camden funded by The People’s Postcode Lottery. To find out how you can register your children to receive a free book each month until their fifth birthday, visit the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library page.
Share your thoughts on Rhyme Time and the library
If you have a child under 5, let us know what you enjoy about Rhyme Time and the library and what could be improved. If you also use Camden’s Children’s Centres and Family Hubs, we’d love to hear how they support you.
Your feedback helps us improve services for all Camden families.
Reading Well for families
Browse the Reading Well for families, a new collection supporting the mental health and wellbeing of families during pregnancy and the early years (from conception to age two). Available in all Camden Libraries, this evidence-based book collection provides crucial mental health support for parents, carers, and their wider networks mental health and wellbeing during the first 1,001 days of a child's life.
The Reading Well for families collection, developed by The Reading Agency in partnership with Libraries Connected and Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) Cymru, recommends helpful reading on topics such as parental wellbeing, perinatal mental health problems (including anxiety, depression, OCD, and birth trauma), and coping with loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death).
The full list of titles can be viewed on the Reading Agency website.
The books can be borrowed for free from your local library. The collection is available in multiple formats including physical books, eBooks, audiobooks. Browse our digital collections on Libby and BorrowBox.
Borrow a ukulele
Borrow a Ukulele from Swiss Cottage library. Find out more and book.
Community Café
Come and try the tasty food at the new Community Café run by Lifeafterhummus, at Pancras Square Library. The café is open Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 5.30pm.
Contacting the Council at your local library
Courtesy phones have recently been reinstated in all Camden Libraries except Pancras Square Library where residents can speak with a team member at Contact Camden. This means you can speak with someone and complete tasks by using the phone at the library. Ask the library team if you need assistance.