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The children's library at Archway Library is currently closed

This is because we're carrying out improvement works. It will re-open on Wednesday 15 January 2025. The adult library is open as usual.

Christmas and new year opening times and services

Find out our opening times and service changes over Christmas and New Year holidays. This includes changes to bin collection days, parking and customer contact centre opening hours.

Islington Town Hall will be closed from Thursday 2 to Monday 6 January 2025 for planned maintenance. Registrar services will be reopen on Monday 6 January 2025.

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Baby Bounce, under-5s and toy libraries

Find out more about Baby Bounce, under-5s sessions and toy libraries in Islington libraries.

Baby Bounce and under-5s

Babies and young children love stories, rhymes and songs, and our relaxed and friendly sessions are a great way to introduce them to books, reading and learning.

All of our libraries run Baby Bounce 'action rhyme times' (suitable for 0-18 months) and under-5s 'story and rhyme times' (18-48 months).

You can find out more, including times, by visiting U5s activities on the Find Your Islington directory.

Toy libraries

Parents can borrow up to three toys for three weeks, free of charge. The toys can be borrowed at the following times:

  • Central Library: Wednesdays 11.30am-12pm 
  • Finsbury Library: Thursdays 11.30am-12.30pm 
  • Mildmay Library: Thursdays 11.30am-1pm 
  • North Library: Tuesdays 11.30am-1pm 
  • West Library: Tuesdays and Fridays 11.30am-1pm 

You can find out more, including times, by visiting toy libraries on the Find Your Islington directory.

You can also contact hlcs@islington.gov.uk.

Bookstart

Bookstart packs are free, and are designed to get your child into the reading and learning habit early. 

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