Southampton has 11 local libraries so, if you live in the city, your nearest library is most likely less than a mile away.
Find your local library and its opening times here
Find a library (southampton.gov.uk)
Winter Update:
We will be starting our Warm Welcome campaign 3rd November 2025 with a similar offer as last year in Southampton Libraries
Activities here Events | Southampton City Libraries badged as Warm Welcome will include refreshments and a small snack – there are adult, child and family activities. Staff have discretion to offer a hot drink and a snack to those they feel are in need – once it gets cold we do have a number of older people who spend a fair time in the library keeping warm with a cuppa
We are also offer 121 IT support sessions to Christmas bookable through staff
Here are some examples of the sort of help offered
Married couple had questions about using tech for starting a home business to help support their household. I was able to recommend other services from Southampton City Council, and help them to understand the use of their smartphone better and answer some technical questions about developing a simple website and the tools needed to do so.
Helping John update a laptop from windows 10 to windows 11. Setting and saving security settings on laptop. Software and old file clean up with filtering and cleaning software. Showing how to edit a basic website editor used by John. Signposting to Pension credit pages. Creating a list of bookmarks for important website visited or needed by John.
The learner wanted to have help because he is neuro-diverse and is trying to get disabled support allowance for an open university course. He has been helped and referred to other support and will arrange for an additional session to help support him in learning how to use some software programmes for use in his adapted home.
Looking for IT help or free access to a computer or wifi or low cost printing?
Library computers, Wi-Fi and printing (southampton.gov.uk)
Help with computers ( Digital Champions)
Or just want to browse our catalogues of physical and ebooks and resources?
Home | Southampton City Libraries (spydus.co.uk)
Membership of Southampton City Libraries is free and open to anyone living, working or studying in and around Southampton.
You can join the library online or at any branch by showing proof of your name and current address.
You can join the library at any age, either in our libraries, or online, but under 14s will need a signature from their parent or guardian.