Central Library
Central Library is a beautifully re-modelled building with free wifi and 130 computers. It's the home of our business centre, a dedicated family space and the Liverpool Record Office and Archives. It also houses the historic grade II listed Picton Reading Room and Hornby Library along with 15,000 rare books. Find out more about all the services we offer.
Central Library
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Find us
William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW
Contact us
We are closed bank holidays
Main library opening hours
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Other services opening hours
Explore our archives, records and rare books
Our collections date from 13th century onwards. Explore original documents, photographs, maps and newspapers which record the lives of Liverpudlians across the centuries.
Free reference sites
Access a rich variety of reference sites online via our digital reading platform readliverpool.co.uk.
More to do at Central Library
Visit the Business and IP Centre, or hire a meeting room.
Discover library - for children and families
A fully accessible family area with a child friendly environment hosting a wealth of books and free computers to use for young people up to 14. Find out more about children's library resources.
Additional services and facilities
Study spaces
- Four floors of seating
- 130 library computers - some available to pre-book and some walk up computers for members
- A quiet study space in the Picton Reading Room, first floor
Facilities
- Free wifi
- Multi-functional devices that print, scan and copy
- Toilets and baby change facilities
Accessibility
- Automatic entrance doors
- Accessible lift
- Accessible toilets
- Changing Places toilet
Events at Central Library
Events will be promoted here in the run-up to the event.
You can also view our main library events page, where you will find out about our regular events and what's happening in our community libraries.
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2025 Year of the Spoken Word
Central Library
A free, family-friendly event with a welcome and handover by Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Barbara Murray. This launch event for the year ahead offers workshops and activities. Enjoy storytelling, rapping, singing, shared reading sessions, acting and spoken word poems, and much more.
Free - just drop in
- Saturday
- 25/01/2025
- 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW
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The female husband
Central Library
Gill Rossini, LGBTQ+ historian, explores the history of the female husbands of 18th century. Women who passed as men by taking male orientated work, marrying a woman and living as a male at all times. What was life like for them? How can we research them?
Saturday 15th February 1pm-3pm. Free to attend - no need to book
- Saturday
- 15/02/2025
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW
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Open Minds - stimulating discussion
Central Library
A series of five, weekly, Open Minds session starts on Wednesday 15th January 2025. These groups offer you the chance to meet over tea and coffee to discuss the 'big' questions – from 'What does it truly mean to be free', to 'What's the difference between good and bad art?' and 'How should I make moral decisions?'. All of this happens in a friendly collaborative environment with a core ethos of working together.
Game Room, Ground Floor.
Wednesdays 10-11am from 15th January to 12th February – free to attend.- Wednesday
- 15/01/2025 - 12/02/2025
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW
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Tales through Time
Central Library
Do you like creative writing? Are you part of a reading group or book club? Do you enjoy listening to audiobooks? Are you interested in art or photography?
Join us for a series of 8 weekly workshops where you can share your passions and dive into the world of storytelling.
This is an exciting opportunity to get involved with your local community and to be part of creating your own story. Pop along to one of our sessions or join us every week, we would love to hear your story!
Wednesday 4pm - 5pm, starts 5th February.
For more information email m.bradley22@lipa.ac.uk
- Wednesday
- 05/02/2025 - 02/04/2025
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW
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Story Time
Central Library
Join us for story time for young children between 12pm and 12.30pm each Tuesday during term time.
Drop in — free of charge
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Try shared reading
Central Library
Shared reading groups bring people together to talk, laugh and share.
Drop in, grab a cuppa and enjoy listening to a story or poem. No pressure to read or talk! Email alison.cassidy@liverpool.gov.uk for more information.
Every Monday from 2pm-3.30pm.
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Learn My Way basic digital skills course
Central Library
Each Wednesday 2.30pm to 4.30pm in the first floor Enquire area.
Free - just drop in, no appointment needed.
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Sole Survivor CIC - PTSD support group
Central Library
This group supports PTSD survivors and meets weekly to focus on sharing coping strategies, experiences and pathways to wellness. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis. To join and find out more visit the Sole Survivor website call 07903 544585 or email info@ptsdsupport.co.uk.
Each Tuesday 6.30-7.30pm in the fourth floor meeting rooms.
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Liverpool in Work employment advice helpdesk
Central Library
Each Thursday 10am to 2.30pm in the Atrium Café.
Drop in - no appointment needed.
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Rethink Mental Illness Peer Support Group
Central Library
Each Thursday from 4pm-6pm and Friday from 10.30am-12pm in the first floor Enquire area.
Drop in - no appointment needed.
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Councillor's Surgery
Central Library
A chance to chat with your councillor if you have a problem or need advice. First Saturday of the month 12pm — 1pm.
Drop in.
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National Careers Service drop in CV and employability skills
Central Library
One-to-one help with your CV and cover letters, interview skills, finding courses and training, as well as career advice and skills assessments. Appointments are held in the ground floor games room each Friday between 10am-4pm.
Free. Call 07955442397 to book an appointment with the adviser Mark Chapman.
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Shared Reading PLUS sessions
Central Library
Aimed at people living with dementia, their carers, family members and friends. Just drop in, grab a cuppa and enjoy listening to a poem or story - no pressure to talk or read.
Wednesdays at 1pm. Drop in. For more information contact alison.cassidy@liverpool.gov.uk.
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The Hot Stuff Menopause Cafe
Central Library
Join like minded women for conversation and share information and your experiences of the menopause in a confidential and safe place.
Starts on Wednesday February 12th and then the first Wednesday of every month.
6pm - 7pm
The Hornby Room
To book a place email Alison Cassidy
- Wednesday
- 12/02/2025 - 30/06/2025
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW
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Job Fair
Central Library
Come along to our job fair in partnership with Ingeus. Meet face to face with employers from a range of sectors who have jobs available now and are ready to recruit.
You can meet our friendly team and partner organisations who can help you with.
Benefits Advice, Self-employment support, Health advice and CV workshops.
Find out more at our website for Jobseekers and for Employers
- Monday
- 10/02/2025 - 11/02/2025
- 10:30 AM - 1:35 PM
- William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW
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Love in Every Language
Central Library
The event is a poetry event where people speaking different languages share poems (either from their country of origin or their own poetry) and read it out to an audience. We usually ask those performing to also read English translation so everyone can understand the poem.
The event is a lovely opportunity to show that although we may speak different languages, look different and have different cultures, we all feel the same emotions/feelings. The event is being led by the Merseyside Polonia
Hornby Room
Thursday 13th February, 6-8pm
FREE to attend but tickets can be booked at Eventbrite
- Thursday
- 13/02/2025 - 14/02/2025
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW