Other library services

Computer and internet access
DVDs and music CDs
Spoken word materials (talking books)
Reading groups
Rooms for hire
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 PC​​​​​​​​​​​​External 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

If we don’t have the item you want in stock at your local library, you may be able to reserve it 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 (which are held at our Stacks)​ and CDs is absolutely free. To find out what items we have and how to reserve them, visit our online catalogue​​​​​​​​​​​​​Link opens in a new window​​.

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.

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 catalogue​​​​​​​​​​​​External 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 service​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​External link opens in a new window​​​.

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 catalogue​​​​​​​​​​​​External 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.

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.

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:

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 Wales​​​​​​​​​​​​External 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.

For enquiries please contact us.