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  2. Family, home and community
  3. Leisure and recreation

Libraries

Libraries across Northern Ireland offer a wide range of free services including the loan of books and magazines, local history resources, eBooks, eMagazines, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers, computer use, internet access and Wi-Fi. Libraries have a large selection of books for all ages, including large print books and audio books.

Join the library

Library membership is free. You can join from birth and members can borrow up to nine items at any one time. Your library card allows you to borrow from and return to any Northern Ireland library or mobile library stop.

You can join online or in any Northern Ireland public library.

  • Join the library online

Find your local library

Find your local library

Online books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers

Libraries NI offers free eBooks, eAudiobooks,  eMagazines and eNewspapers.

There are over 33,565 eBooks and eAudiobooks, and 320 English language newspapers and many more in 60 other languages available.

Customers can borrow up to 36 eBooks and eAudiobooks at a time (18 from the Libby app and 18 from the BorrowBox app) for twenty one days with each book automatically dropping off your account at the end of the loan period.

There are 4,446 eMagazine titles including cookery, computers, home, sport, health and well being. These can be kept on your device as there is no expiry date.

  • eBooks and eAudiobooks
  • eMagazines

Events and courses

Events and courses for people of all ages are held regularly in most libraries. These include talks, workshops, exhibitions, reading groups and computer courses.

Find out about events and courses at a library near you by entering your postcode on the following web page:

  • Libraries NI

    Digital Hubs

    Digital Hubs are now available in public libraries across Northern Ireland offering all members of the community the room and resources to access virtual meeting spaces. The Digital Hubs can be found in a quiet corner or space within the library and are equipped with:
     

    • webcam
    • headset (users are also free to plug their own headset in if preferred)
    • conferencing software: Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Webex and Zoom
    • acoustic screen/s
    • privacy monitor

    Students

    Libraries are welcoming and comfortable venues for studying, IT work and socialising with friends. As a library member you can:

    • read and borrow books including curriculum support material
    • access free Wi-Fi and use library computers
    • access study space to read, revise or complete assignments
    • access in library digital resources such as Access to Research
    • access the Ulster University Library through the Civic Access Scheme
    • access trusted health information for many of the issues that students face 
    • take part in social activities, all for free
    • view student resources

    Reading groups

    Reading groups are held for adults, teenagers and children.

    Rhythm and Rhyme

    Parents and carers have the opportunity to enjoy nursery rhymes, stories and songs with babies and toddlers up to four years old.

    Find a Rhythm and Rhyme event near you

    Computer basics in small simple steps

    The 'Got IT?' free course takes you through the basics of computers in small, simple steps. It is divided into three parts:

    • introduction to computers
    • introduction to the internet
    • introduction to email

    Each session lasts between 45 minutes and one hour. Library staff will be on hand to get you started, explaining the names and breaking down the jargon one piece at a time. You must be a library member to take part.

    • Got IT?

    Go ON computer training session

    This is a free session for people who want to find out more about technology and computers in a relaxed environment, at their own pace. It helps people improve their computer skills by offering help to do lots of everyday tasks on the computer. You must be a library member to take part.

    • Go ON NI
    • Go ON NI makes getting online easy

    Heritage services

    Libraries NI has an wide range of resources for historians, researchers, genealogists, students and those with an interest in cultural and community life, past or present. These include:

    • books
    • newspapers and journals
    • maps
    • photographs
    • archives and special collections

    Heritage events take place regularly including talks, family history fairs, workshops and book launches. 

    More useful links

    • Libraries NI
    • Leisure and recreation
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    Leisure and recreation

    • Arts and culture
    • Libraries
    • Museums and galleries
    • Northern Ireland Civil Service Art Collection
    • Outdoor recreation and sport
    • Places to visit with your children

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    Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

    If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

    Carer's Allowance

    Call 0800 587 0912
    Email 
    dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

    Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

    Call 0800 587 2750 
    Email 
    customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

    Disability Living Allowance

    Call 0800 587 0912 
    Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

    Employment and Support Allowance

    Call 0800 587 1377

    Jobseeker’s Allowance

    Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

    Personal Independence Payment

    Call 0800 587 0932

    If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

    For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

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    For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

    If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

    • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
    • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

    If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

    For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

    Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

    For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

    For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

    For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

    For queries about:

    • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
      contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
       
    • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
      contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

    If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

     

    For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

    For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

    For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

    If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

    If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

    For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

    For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

    For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

    If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

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