Libraries

Current opening hours

• Clapton Library
• Dalston C.L.R James
• Hackney Central
• Homerton
• Shoreditch
• Stamford Hill
• Stoke Newington
• Woodberry Down

Become a library member 

Join now

Are you a Library member but have forgotten your PIN?

Reset it online (PIN reset) and click ‘Log In’ then ‘Forgot My PIN’. Alternatively, our staff members will be happy to help, just contact any of the above Libraries.

Book a PC 

To book a one-hour slot pop in or call your preferred library during opening hours or email libraries@hackney.gov.uk. 

You must hold a library account with Hackney or any other authority of The Libraries Consortium.

All PCs are automatically switched off 15 minutes before closing.

You need to provide your membership card number when booking.

We can offer printing at Hackney Central, Dalston CLR James, Clapton and Stoke Newington Libraries.

All of our libraries have photocopying facilities.

Study space

Study spaces available on a first-come first-served basis at:

• Clapton
• Dalston C.L.R James Libraries
• Hackney Central
• Homerton
• Shoreditch
• Stamford Hill
• Stoke Newington Libraries.

Reserve an item

You can reserve up to 20 items, 12 of which can be CDs and / or DVDs. A non-refundable administration fee of 50p will be applied for each reservation. Under 18s are exempt from this charge.

Online library catalogue

View online library catalogue

Returning stock

Returns can be made any time during opening hours.

Join the e-library

Access our e-library with your Hackney libraries membership number, barcode and PIN, giving you immediate access to thousands of e-books, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines for free.

Join the e-library

Community library service

If you can’t get to your local library due to temporary or permanent illness, frailty or special needs. Our community library service can deliver library material to your home every four weeks.

Alternatively we can deposit collections of books on a weekly basis for free to:

• nurseries
• day centres
• residential units

Events happening in your local library

To see what events are happening in your local library visit what’s on in Hackney libraries.

Libraries service review public feedback report

Over 8,450 people from all ages and a diverse range of backgrounds had their say on Hackney’s libraries.

Through surveys hosted on Commonplace and Citizen Space, in focus groups and interviews.

We held creative workshops and competitions in primary schools across the borough.

For children to discuss and design their dream library.

Between July and October 2021,we held conversations with local residents and stakeholders.

To find out how happy they were with the current library service and what they would like to see offered in the future.

The public engagement looked at how our libraries are:

• currently used
• what residents value from the service
• what would encourage more people to visit their local library

The borough-wide review into our libraries reveals that residents are overall satisfied with the service.

Including access to library buildings, availability and range of books, and knowledge and friendliness of staff.

The report shows that residents place greatest value on:

• access to good quality collections of books and reading materials
• see libraries as trusted and safe spaces to provide lifelong learning opportunities and cultural and community events for all ages

When asked what libraries could offer in the future, residents said improved access to high quality digital resources.

To carry out day-to-day tasks such as:

• printing
• photocopying
• use of fast wifi

Residents also see the role of local libraries in providing spaces for people to meet and socialise. To access information and interact with other council services, as important to the community’s well-being.

A summary report of the public feedback to the Hackney Council libraries service review is now available.

View the Public Engagement Report (PDF 10.3mb).

Libraries strategy for Hackney 2022 to 2026

The libraries strategy for Hackney 2022 to 2026 is a vision for what the borough’s library service is going to achieve over the next four years. It responds directly to what residents told us they wanted for their libraries.

View libraries strategy for Hackney 2022 to 2026 (PDF 20mb).