Computer and internet access
DVDs and music CDs
Spoken word materials (talking books)
Reading groups
Rooms for hire
Help to reduce your electricity bill
Mobile library
Housebound services
National library of Wales
Computer and internet access
Public computers with free Internet access and Microsoft Office applications are available to use at all of our libraries except Tongwynlais. You can book half hour sessions in advance or on arrival if they are available. If you have a library card and PIN, you can book a PCExternal link opens in a new window now. If you're not a member of Cardiff Libraries yet, find out how to join.
You can also print from our computers, however we do charge for print outs. Please see our library fines and charges for details.
You can also bring your own laptop into our libraries.
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DVDs and music CDs
DVDs for children and adults are available to borrow from all our libraries. If we don’t have the item you want in stock at your local library, you may be able to reserve if from another library and have it sent to your local branch for collection. Music CDs live in our music department at Central Library. You can visit us in the city centre and browse our vast collection, or you can reserve particular titles and have them sent to your local library for collection. Reserving DVDs and CDs is absolutely free. To find out what items we have and how to reserve them, visit our online catalogue.
DVDs and CDs are loaned out for one week at a charge. Fines apply to any late returns, or you can renew them at the standard loan charge. Please see our library fines and charges for details.
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Spoken word materials (talking books)
Spoken word materials, also called talking books, are available to borrow from all our libraries. You can choose from books on CD or our Playaway devices. Playaways are pocket-sized audio books and players all rolled into one. All you need to use our Playaways are earphones and 1 x AAA battery; available to buy from the library or you can use your own. Our spoken word materials are loaned out for three weeks.
If we don't have the title you want at your local library, you may be able to reserve it from another library and have it sent to your local branch for collection. Reserving spoken word material is absolutely free. To find out what titles we have and how to reserve them, visit our online catalogueExternal link opens in a new window or call into your local branch.
If you have a visual disability you can borrow spoken word materials free of charge, and we will even supply you with the batteries for your Playaway and the earphones to use them.
If you're a member of Cardiff libraries you can borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks from the comfort of your own home using our 24hr books to download serviceExternal link opens in a new window .
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Reading groups
If you belong to a reading group, are looking for one in your area, or are even thinking of setting one up, here's what we can do for you:
- help you find a reading group that meets at a time and place convenient for you
- advertise your group to new members
- recommend great books for you to read
- provide you with up to 15 copies of the same book, which you can keep for up to 6 weeks
- offer loads of fun activities throughout the year
For more details simply visit the online library catalogueExternal link opens in a new window and select 'Clubs and Societies' followed by 'Readers and writers groups'. Or view our Reading Groups - what we can do for you (PDF 314 KB)Link opens in a new window leaflet.
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Rooms for hire
Several of our libraries have community rooms or meeting rooms available for hire. Please check with your local branch.
Central library also offers a fully equipped ICT lounge which can be hired for a fee.
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Help to reduce your electricity bill
We run a scheme for residents to borrow electricity monitors from libraries to help keep an eye on their energy bills.
The meters are easy to install and allow you to see your energy usage which is also displayed in actual cost terms. Monitoring consumption can help you reduce your bills, lower electricity usage and reduce domestic carbon emissions.
Monitors are available across Cardiff's 20 libraries.
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Mobile Library
The mobile library takes a full library service out into the Cardiff community by visiting:
- Areas without easy access to a local branch
- Areas with a concentration of elderly or infirm people, who might otherwise struggle to reach their nearest branch
We have two vehicles and although they can only hold a limited number of items, the library staff will use their knowledge of libraries and books to secure the best reads for their borrowers. If we haven't got what you want, we will make every effort to secure the item for you by the next visit.
Mobile library timetable
The mobile library timetable rotates on a 3 weekly basis:
Monday| 9:30 to 10:15am |
St Clements Court, Glyn Eiddw, Pentwyn |
| 10:25 to 10:35am |
Pant Glas, Pentwyn |
| 10:50 to 1:00pm |
Community Centre, Pontprennau |
| 1:50 to 3:00pm |
Broadlands House, Hazelwood Drive, St Mellons |
| 3:10 to 3:45pm |
Oakmeadow Court, St Mellons |
| 3:55 to 4:45pm |
Holm View Court, South View Drive, Witla Court, St Mellons |
Tuesday
Wednesday| 9:30 to 9:50am |
Pendragon Pub Car Park, Excalibur Avenue |
| 9:55 to 10:25am |
Spring Grove, Thornhill |
| 10:30 to 11:30am |
Sainsbury’s Car Park, Excalibur Drive, Thornhill |
| 12 to 12:20pm |
Pentwyn Shops Top Car Park |
| 1:35 to 2:30pm |
Greenway Road/Greenock Road, Trowbridge |
| 2:35 to 3:20pm |
Old Library Car Park, Abergele Road |
| 3:25 to 3:40pm |
Tresigin Road, Trowbridge |
| 3:50 to 4:25pm |
Kenneth Treasure Court, Bethania Roe, St Mellons |
Thursday| 9:30 to 11:30am |
Tremorfa Community Centre, Tweedsmuir Road |
| 11:45 to 12:30am |
Minton Court, Merion Place, Tremorfa |
| 12:35 to 1pm |
Willows Avenue/Mercia Road, Tremorfa |
| 1:15 to 2:30pm |
Mackintosh Centre, Keppoch Street, Roath |
| 3:15 to 3:45pm |
Moorland Road/Horwood Close, Splott |
| 4 to 4:55pm |
Newtown Court, North Luton Place, Adamsdown |
Friday| 9:30 to 10:30am |
Heath Park Court, Heath Park Avenue, Heath |
10:40 to 11:30am
|
Heathmead, Allensbank Road, Heath |
| 11:45 to 12:30pm |
Newlands Court, Station Road, Llanishen |
| 12:40 to 1:40pm |
Brentwood Court, Newborough Avenue, Llanishen |
| 2:30 to 3:45pm |
Glenside Court, TyGwyn Road, Penylan |
| 3:50 to 4:20pm |
Redwell Court, TyGwyn Road, Penylan |
| 4:30 to 5pm |
Clarendon, Cyncoed Avenue |
Monday| 9:30 to 10:15am |
Pendryn House, Mortimer Road, Pontcanna |
| 10:20 to 10:50am |
Fairleigh Court, Fields Park Raod, Pontacanna |
| 11 to 11:30am |
Lord Pontypridd House, Clive Road, Canton |
| 11:35 to 12:05pm |
Sir David’s Court, Clive Road |
| 12:15 to 1pm |
Alexandra Court, Ethel Street |
| 1:45 to 2:25pm |
Great Western Court, Bassett Street |
| 2:45 to 3:15pm |
Wilfred Brook House, Clive Street, Grangetown |
| 3:45 to 3:55pm |
Worcester Court, Holmesdale Street, Grangetown |
Tuesday
Wednesday| 9:30 to 10:30am |
Hope Court, North Road. Maindy |
| 10:45 to 11:45am |
Limebourne Court, Little Mill, Whitchurch |
| 11:55 to 1pm |
Meridian Court, North Road, Gabalfa |
| 2:15 to 5pm |
Mynachdy Road |
Friday9:30 to 10:30am
|
Ffordd Dinefwr, Creigiau |
| 10:35 to 10:55am |
Parc Y Coed, Creigiau |
| 11 to 12:30pm |
Post Office, Creigiau |
| 1:40 to 2:30pm |
Parc Y Bryn, Creigiau |
| 2:35 to 2:55pm |
Parc Castell-Y-Mynach. Creigiau |
| 3 to 3:50pm |
Primary School. Creigiau |
Saturday| 9:30 to 12:30pm |
Sainsbury, Thornhill |
| 1:30 to 4:30pm |
Asda, Pontprennau |
Monday| 9:30 to 10am |
Norbury Court, Bailey Close, Fairwater |
| 10:10 to 10:50am |
Doyle, Court, Perrots Close, Fairwater |
| 11 to 12:20pm |
Clos-Y-Nant, Plasmawr Road, Fairwater |
| 12:30 to 1pm |
Restways Court, Danescourt Way, Danescourt |
| 2:10 to 2:40pm |
Plymouth Arms Pub, St Fagans |
| 3 to 3:40pm |
Sandown Court, Bromley Drive, Ely |
| 3:50 to 4:10pm |
Wheatley Road Sheltered Housing, Ely |
| 4:20 to 5pm |
St Fagans Court, Stirling Road, Ely |
Tuesday
Wednesday| 9:30 to 10:45 |
Cwrt Deri, Heol-Y-Felin, Rhiwbina |
| 11 to 12:30pm |
Hanover Court, Park Lane, Whitchurch |
| 12:45 to 2:15pm |
Glendower Court, Velindre Road, Whitchurch |
| 3:15 to 3:45pm |
Four Elms Court/Stephenson Court, Oxford Lane, Roath |
| 4 to 4:30pm |
Willow Court, Teal Street, Roath |
Thursday| 9:40 to 10:15am |
Post Office, Gwaelod-Y-Garth |
| 10:20 to 10:50am |
Heol Berry, Gwaelod-Y-Garth |
11 to 12:15pm
|
Lewis Arms Pub, Pentyrch |
| 12:25 to 12:50pm |
Maes-Y-Sarn, Pentyrch |
| 2 to 2:30pm |
Bron Haul, Pentyrch |
| 2:40 to 3:50pm |
Bronllyn, Pentrych |
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Housebound Services
We run a service that brings the library to your doorstep if you are incapacitated through:
- Illness
- Infirmity
- Disability
and can no longer travel to your local library.
We call every three weeks, delivering and collecting ordinary/large print books and/or books-on-tape.
After an initial interview to determine your needs and reading tastes, you may either give the driver a list of books that you would like to read, or have the books chosen for you by our experienced and knowledgeable librarian. If you have internet access you can reserve your favourite books and have them delivered as soon as they become available.
This service is entirely free and covers the whole of Cardiff. However, please be aware that resources are limited and there is sometimes a waiting list.
National Library
The National Library of WalesExternal link opens in a new window offers a wide range of subscribed electronic resources, ranging from scholarly journals to encyclopedias and newspapers. In conjunction with City of Cardiff Council , the National Library of Wales would like to offer you the opportunity to register for access to our electronic resources.
You can use the register to do two things:
- To obtain a readers' ticket before visiting the National Library of Wales, and
- Or for remote access to all the Library's electronic resources as long as you live in Wales and have a Welsh postcode.
As this service is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, we regret that if you don't have a home address in Wales you won't be able to register for access to all the Library's electronic resources.
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For enquiries please contact us.