What's in your library

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – libraries

Belhus library, part of South Ockendon Centre, is open from Monday 6 July. The opening hours will be 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am -1pm on Saturday. Other libraries remain closed until further notice. You can access newspapers and magazines, get e-books and e-audio and take part in job club sessions online.

Go to our coronavirus (COVID-19) safety page for information on visiting re-opened libraries and items due for return. Items due between 1 January and 31 July have had their loan dates extended automatically to 1 September. Please do not put borrowed items in library book drops or letterboxes.

Bookstart for babies and toddlers

We have a number of schemes to introduce your baby and toddler to books.

Bookstart packs

You can collect a free Bookstart baby pack from your health visitor at your baby's 12-month health check.

You can get a free Bookstart treasure pack for your 3 year-old from your local library.

The baby pack includes 2 free books, whilst the treasure pack has 1 free book and includes useful library information such as opening times and a joining form.

Bear's Reading Adventure sticker book

Collect a free adventure sticker book from your library for your pre-school child. You can collect fun stickers as you share books, and download a certificate to record your child's reading achievement.