Libraries

• Home
• Leisure and Culture
• Libraries

Announcements:

Kingston Libraries opening times will be changing from Wednesday 6 June 2012. See the Opening Times page for details.

All libraries will be closed on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 June 2012.

Download a leaflet with details from the link below.

Read or listen to six books over the summer holidays and collect rewards along the way. Lucky prize draw winners are invited to our celebration at the Rose Theatre in October. Story Lab starts in all RBK Libraries on Saturday 7 July and ends on Saturday 22 September.

Saturday 16 June  10am- 4pm
Throughout the day, visitors will be able to enjoy an array of stalls selling everything from jewellery to handmade cards, healing crystals, personalised art, stoneware, books and much more. Future craft fair dates for your diary 16 June.

For more information please contact the Hook and Chessington Library on 020 8547 5006  or email: hook.library@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Kingston Libraries' poet in residence Alison Hill is running a series of events and workshops across the borough. Alison, who has been published in a wide range of magazines and anthologies, also runs Rhythm & Muse, a monthly poetry and music event at the Ram Jam in Kingston. Her pamphlet, Peppercorn Rent, was published by Flarestack in 2008 and she has just completed her first full collection, which includes some poems written during her residency.

For more information see www.rhythmandmuse.org and alison-hill.weebly.com or email Alison directly at alison-hill@blueyonder.co.uk if you would like to read or play at Rhythm & Muse.

To renew books or place reservations from home, you need to access the library catalogue and login to your account. Please use the link to the Catalogue, Information and Resources on the left hand side of this page and then read the instructions and follow the links from the page it takes you too.

Download the documents below containing hints and tips on starting and running a reading group, how to sign up to the Kingston Libraries service supporting private reading groups, and a list of the reading group sets currently available for groups to borrow.

Also, take a look at  a new website which has been launched by the Reading Agency, Reading Groups for Everyone, at www.readinggroups.org. This has all sorts of information you may find useful, including finding groups near you, different offers, and lots of “reading” news.

For further details contact alison.townsend@rbk.kingston.gov.uk or phone 020 8547 6494.

Did you know we have ebooks and e-audio books available to Kingston library members?

We have two collections available, one from Public Library On-line the other from Netlibrary all you need is your card and PIN.

    

Available through Netlibrary

You need to access our E-Books and E Audio books through the links on the left had side of this page

Find out more about Jim on our dedicated Writer in Residence page.

A range of books have been purchased specifically for people caring for a friend or relative.

The books vary from factual, written by clinicians, to books written by carers about their personal experiences.

For more information about Caring Matters, please click on the link below from where you will be able to see a full list of the books available.

Oyster Cards and top ups are now available for purchase at Kingston Library and the Hook Centre.

For further information telephone 020 8547 5006. See 'Opening Hours' page for branch details.

Badges are available for purchase from now up until the games begin. These badges are a limited edition with each London Borough incorporating its own design. The telephone boxes are the emblem for the Royal Borough of Kingston. Badges are available to buy in your local library and cost £6.

Did you know that if you are a Foster Carer living in Kingston upon Thames you are entitled to a Foster Carers ticket? With the Foster Carers ticket you can borrow up to 20 items, borrow books and spoken word CD’s for up to 6 weeks and will not be charged fines for overdue books.

However you will still have to pay the normal rental charge for loans of DVD’s and CD’s, can borrow DVD’s and CD’s for one week, the same as usual and will have to pay for any overdue letters you are sent.

For more information on Foster Carers Tickets contact: Mike Treacy on 020 8547 6431 or email:michael.treacy@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Come and get your photos here for your Freedom Pass, Passport, Driving Licence etc.

Kingston Library Service has made it easier for homeless people living in hostels in the borough to join and use local libraries.

Homeless people can now enjoy the full range of library facilities, including Internet access and a wide range of books, newspapers, magazines, CDs and DVDs, by providing a letter or stamped/signed headed piece of note paper from the hostel in which they are staying as proof of ID.  

Through Kingston Libraries you can access a wide range of learning opportunities. Ask at any branch library for advice and guidance to help you find the course or way of learning that is right for you.

Providing British Computer Society accredited IT courses since 1999, Kingston Libraries have developed a strong commitment to high quality ICT training. If you want to learn how to use the internet, email friends and family around the world, apply for jobs online, improve your CV or get to grips with Office IT skills why not attend a course at one of Kingston Libraries learning centres?

For more information see the Learning and Training in Libraries page

Surbiton, Kingston and Old Malden branches have book banks outside their buildings where you can deposit your unwanted books, DVDs, CDs or videos in whatever condition.

At Surbiton Library and Kingston Library the book bank is located in the car park at the rear of the library. The British Heart Foundation collect from the banks once a week and will transform your donation into much needed funds for their charity.