Libraries

Browsing and borrowing books and resources

Regular activities
Scrabble Club – Monday, 10-12 noon
Craft Club – Monday, 2-4pm
Storytimes – Thursday, 10-10.30am (term-time only)
Rhyme-times – Friday, 10-10.30am (term-time only)

Loaning of books, CD's, magazine online subscription.
The library runs a 50+ craft club and rhymetimes as well as public access to computers for library users.

Facilities
Public PCs and training suite
Printer
Photocopier
Scanner
Wifi
Public/Disabled toilets
Baby changing

Facilities
Public PCs
Bookable IT suite
Printer
Scanner
Wifi
Photocopier
Public/Disabled toilet
Baby changing
Garden

Home Library Service
Do you enjoy reading but are not able to visit a library?

If you can’t visit a library because you’re of limited mobility, have health problems or caring responsibilities, we may be able to help. We have a team of approved volunteers who will select books or audiobooks according to your reading preferences and deliver them to you on a monthly basis.

Alternatively if you have friends or family willing to pick up books and deliver them to you themselves, we can arrange for your local library to select the books in advance.

Both services are free.

For more information or to arrange for someone to visit you, please contact 023 9268 8057 or email askalibrarian@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

These services have gone well above and beyond the provision of large print and audio books and have been recognised nationally, receiving the Libraries Change Lives Award in 2003 and in 2023.

The aim is to provide a needs based service to increase the independence and wellbeing of adults who are blind or vision impaired. The work is led by their Vision Impairment Services Officer (who is blind), supported by library staff and volunteers. Most of the users of this service are over 16 years of age. The local authority does provide support in schools for children so most of the library work has been with adults.

Portsmouth Library and Archives have been providing additional services to people with vision impairment for over fourteen years.

Facilities
Public PCs
Printer
Photocopier
Wifi
Public/Disabled toilet
Baby changing
Garden

Facilities
Public PCs
Printer
Photocopier
Scanner
Wifi
Public/Disabled toilets
Baby changing

Regular activities
Rhymetimes – Monday, 11am
Story times – Friday, 10am (term-time only) (From September 2024)
Children’s drawing workshop – Once a month on Saturday,1-3pm

Facilities
Public PCs
Printer
Photocopier
Scanner
Wifi
Public/Disabled toilets in the adjoining Paulsgrove Community Centre
Baby changing in Paulsgrove Community Centre
Café in Paulsgrove Community Centre

The library runs a number of activities as well as loaning books, CD's, DVD's and online magazine subscriptions.

Facilities
Public PCs
Printer
Wifi
Café in John Pounds Community Centre
Public/disabled toilets in John Pounds Community Centre
Baby changing in John Pounds Community Centre

All libraries in Portsmouth offer a range of books and resources for adults, carers and children that aim to help you improve your health and wellbeing. All our libraries have Wellbeing Zones where you can browse up to date books and leaflets on any aspect of mental and physical health. Our staff are also happy to signpost you to local services that can help you manage your own health.