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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    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

    Becoming a library member is free and open to everyone. 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.

    • Becoming a member

    Find your local library

    • Find your local library

    Online books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers

    Libraries NI gives free access to a wide range of digital content, available anytime, anywhere.

    eBooks and eAudiobooks

    Enjoy a diverse collection of titles, from bestselling fiction to non-fiction, all available to borrow for free. Loans automatically run out at the end of the lending period, so there’s no need to worry about returns.

    eMagazines 

    Browse a variety of magazines covering topics like cookery, technology, health, and more. New editions are added regularly, so you’ll always have something fresh to read.

    eNewspapers

    Stay informed with access to newspapers from around the world in multiple languages.

    • eBooks and eAudiobooks
    • eMagazines

    Events and courses

    Discover something new in your local library. Events and courses for people of all ages are held regularly in local 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

    Computers with enhanced privacy features are available in public libraries across Northern Ireland offering all members of the community the room and resources to access virtual meeting spaces. These are situated, where possible, 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
    • Digital Hubs

    Students

    Libraries are welcoming and comfortable venues for studying, computer use 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

    Heritage services

    Libraries NI has a 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

    Library members can also take advantage of a variety of free in-library resources including film archive services such as BFI Replay, BBC Rewind and Northern Ireland Screen Digital Film Archive. You can also access a vast collection of academic articles, journals and books through JSTOR and Access to Research.

    Heritage events take place regularly including talks, exhibitions, workshops and book launches. 

    Free period products

    If you or someone you know needs period products, you can get them for free in public libraries (including mobile libraries) across Northern Ireland.

    Further information is available at:

    • Free period products

     

    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.

    For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

    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 your GRONI account, 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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