New Cross Community Library Service

Pepys Community Library Service

Leytonstone Library

Central Library

Idea Store Chrisp Street

Idea Store Watney Market

Lea Bridge Library

Purley Library

Sanderstead Library

Selsdon Library

Shirley Library

South Norwood Library

Thornton Heath Library

Clacton Library

Coggeshall Library

Colchester Library

Corringham Library

Hornchurch Library

Gidea Park Library

Harold Wood Library

Rainham Library

Romford Central Library

South Hornchurch Library

Upminster Library

Ealing Road Library

Kilburn Library

Acton Town Hall library

Ealing Central Library

Greenford Library

Hanwell Community library

Jubilee Gardens library

Northfields library

Northolt library

Pitshanger library

Southall library 

Northolt Leisure Centre library

West Ealing Community library

Wood End library

Chigwell Library

Danbury Library

Debden Library

Epping Library

Earls Colne Library

Fryerns Library

Custom House Library

East Ham Library 

The Gate Library

Green Street Library

Manor Park Library

North Woolwich Library

Plaistow Library

Stratford Library

Sydenham Community Library 

Avonmore Library

Fulham Library

Hammersmith Library

Shepherds Bush Library

Tilbury Library

Springfield Library

Tiptree Library

Thaxted Library

Tye Green Library

Vange Library

Wickham Bishops Library

Witham Library

Wivenhoe Library

Wickford Library

Great Wakering Library

Bullsmoor Library

Writtle Library

Walton Library

Hockley Library

Holland Library

Halstead Library

Harwich Library

Ingatestone Library

Kelvedon Library

Laindon Library

Loughton Library

Maldon Library

Manningtree Library

North Melbourne Library

Beckton Globe Library

Canning Town Library

Marks Gate Community & Family Hub

Catford Library

Crofton Park Community Library

Wood Street Library

Waltham Forest Archives and Local Studies Library

Barking Learning Centre Community Hub

Deptford Lounge

Downham Library

North Chingford Library

Walthamstow Library

Hale End Library

Marsh Farm Library

Grove Park Community Library Service

South Woodham Ferrers Library

Lewsey Library

Bury Park Library

TLC: Tower Hamlets

Idea Store

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<div><div><p>Idea Stores combine the best of traditional library and information services with lifelong learning opportunities.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>View the Idea Store <a href="https://www.ideastore.co.uk/join-today/rules-and-regulations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rules and Regulations</span></a></p>
<p><a href="https://yourlibraryapp.com/WebAccessibility.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Site Accessibility Statement</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://ideastore.towerhamlets.gov.uk/digital-content/borrowing-information-and-library-charges/cookie-policy/">Cookie Policy</a></p></div></div>

Tower Hamlets

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Idea Store Canary Wharf Refurbishment

Mob Zone

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Bookshelf

digital-content

idea-stores

<p>We have five Idea Stores and two libraries in Tower Hamlets.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Idea Stores

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Join Today

ebooks-and-audiobooks

<div id="im5g" class="row mb-3">
<div id="itro" class="col-md-6 mb-4 shadow-sm">
<h1 class="my-1 pt-2 text-center">Ebooks</h1>
<p class="p-3">Read eBooks for free with Idea Store membership and <strong>Libby</strong>. With over 40,000 ebooks you're sure to find something to interest you.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p-3">In your Browser through <a href="https://libbyapp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span id="ixfkc">Libbyapp.com</span></a><a href="https://libbyapp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a> or download the Libby App to your device:&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p-3"><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/libby-by-overdrive-labs/id1076402606" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="iqwkd" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/c1/9a/nTrDDXpX_o.png" alt="downloadapp from the app store" /></a><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overdrive.mobile.android.libby&amp;utm_source=help&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=libby" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="iog6r" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/08/38/dkeTC4pW_o.png" alt="download app on google play" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<img class="mw-100" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/7a/59/4T0O4StO_o.png" alt="collection of books" /><br /><br /><br />
<div id="i32zex" class="row mb-3">
<div id="iib4f" class="col-md-3 mb-4"><a href="https://llc.borrowbox.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="i6l2f" class="rounded mw-100" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/1f/a6/7Ex0b9SM_o.png" alt="" /></a></div>
<div class="col-md-9 mb-4">
<p id="iqixd" class="p-3">Borrowbox have over 2,000 ebooks for children and adults. Choose from the latest titles, award winners , non-fiction and the classics. Just login with your card number and library PIN. <strong>Please note that your PIN for Borrowbox is NO LONGER the last 4 numbers of your card - It is now your usual library PIN.<br /></strong>Click on the icon to go to Borrowbox or download the Borrowbox app to your device</p>
<p class="p-3"><a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/borrowbox-library/id562843562" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="iyqng" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/c1/9a/nTrDDXpX_o.png" alt="downloadapp from the app store" /></a><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bolindadigital.BorrowBoxLibrary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="i04c9" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/08/38/dkeTC4pW_o.png" alt="download app on google play" /></a></p>
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<div class="col-md-9 mb-4">&nbsp;</div>
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<h2 class="my-1 pt-2 text-center">Audiobooks</h2>
<p class="p-3">Different publishers put their audiobooks on different sites. You have access to all of them with Idea Store. Click on the icons to go to the website or download the apps.</p>
<div id="i81sk" class="row mb-3">
<div id="iyv37" class="col-md-3 mb-4"><a href="https://llc.borrowbox.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="i10l9" class="rounded mw-100" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/1f/a6/7Ex0b9SM_o.png" alt="" /></a></div>
<div class="col-md-9 mb-4">
<p id="iaw4c" class="p-3">Borrowbox have over 5,000 audiobooks across all age groups and genres. Just login with your card number and library PIN. <strong>Please note that your PIN for Borrowbox is NO LONGER the last 4 numbers of your card - It is now your usual library PIN.<br /></strong>Download the Borrowbox app to your device</p>
<p class="p-3"><a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/borrowbox-library/id562843562" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="id7y5" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/c1/9a/nTrDDXpX_o.png" alt="downloadapp from the app store" /></a><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bolindadigital.BorrowBoxLibrary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="ieckg" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/08/38/dkeTC4pW_o.png" alt="download app on google play" /></a></p>
</div>
<div id="ijtmm" class="row mb-3">
<div id="ii4xj" class="col-md-3 mb-4"><a href="https://libbyapp.com/library/tlc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="ihego" class="rounded mw-100" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/6f/1d/x8iGJZpH_o.png" alt="" /></a></div>
<div class="col-md-9 mb-4">
<p id="i4mvg" class="p-3">Libby has thousands of audiobooks - fiction, non-fiction, childrens, young adult and much more. Login with your card number and PIN<br />Download the Libby app to your device</p>
<p class="p-3"><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/libby-by-overdrive-labs/id1076402606" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="icrl9" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/c1/9a/nTrDDXpX_o.png" alt="downloadapp from the app store" /></a><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overdrive.mobile.android.libby&amp;utm_source=help&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=libby" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img id="iqwxz" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/08/38/dkeTC4pW_o.png" alt="download app on google play" /></a></p>
</div>
<div class="row mb-3"><br />
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<p class="p-3">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p-3"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ulibrary.ulverscroftulibrary.co.uk.ulibrary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><br /><br /></p>
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Ebooks and Audiobooks

magazines-and-newspapers

<div class="row mb-3">
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<h2 class="my-1 pt-2 text-center">Magazines</h2>
<p class=" p-3">Idea Store have more than 350 magazines available to download directly to your app or in your browser at&nbsp;<a href="https://libbyapp.com/library/llc/guide/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">libbyapp.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://tlc.overdrive.com/library/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Overdrive magazines</a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>Or download the Libby App for your device</p>
<p class=" p-3"><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/libby-by-overdrive-labs/id1076402606" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="height: 45px; width: 150px;" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/c1/9a/nTrDDXpX_o.png" alt="download app from the app store" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overdrive.mobile.android.libby&amp;utm_source=help&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=libby" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="height: 45px; width: 150px;" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/08/38/dkeTC4pW_o.png" alt="download pressreader app on google play" /></a> &nbsp;<br /><br /></p>
<img class="mw-100" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/31/bc/bofbn70c_o.png" alt="collection of magazines from around the world" /></div>
<div class="col-md-6 mb-4 shadow-sm">
<h2 class="my-1 pt-2 text-center">Newspapers</h2>
<p class=" p-3">Idea Stores have 2,000 titles in 60 languages to choose from. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pressreader.com/catalog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.pressreader.com</a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>or download the PressReader app&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;- Login with your Idea Store membership number and PIN after choosing Tower Hamlets Libraries from the library list drop-down menu, download and keep the newspapers you have chosen. Pressreader also have an extensive collection of magazines too!</p>
<p class=" p-3"><a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/pressreader/id313904711" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="height: 45px; width: 150px;" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/c1/9a/nTrDDXpX_o.png" alt="download pressreader app from the app store" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.newspaperdirect.pressreader.android" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="height: 45px; width: 150px;" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/08/38/dkeTC4pW_o.png" alt="download pressreader app on google play" /></a>&nbsp;<br /><br /><img class="mw-100" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/94/10/EVdzxwwE_o.png" alt="collection of newspapers" /></p>
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Magazines and Newspapers

online-services

Online Services

dictionaries-and-encyclopedias

<p>If you're looking for reliable, accurate information from trusted sources then look no further than our list of subscription services that are FREE with your Idea Store membership.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Whether it's for homework, essays or you just want some reliable information from a recognised source, Idea Store can help.</p>

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

stock-suggestions

Stock Suggestions

borrowing-information-and-library-charges

<h1>Library charges &amp; fines</h1>
<p><br />Borrowing books, CDs and DVDs from Tower Hamlets Idea Stores &amp; Libraries is free. Reservations for Tower Hamlets CDs and DVDs are free.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Your loans can be renewed by logging into your account on this site.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>You can borrow up to 25 items for three weeks including a maximum of 4 audio visual items. Books may be renewed up to 10 times if there are no outstanding reservations attached; you can renew a DVD or CD only once.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Please note that these fees &amp; charges may be subject to change.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Please note, if items are borrowed from a library outside of Tower Hamlets, charges for that library authority will apply.</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Books, CDs and CD-Roms</h2>
<p>Loan of Books, CDs and CD-Roms - Free. You can borrow items for 3 weeks.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>DVDs</h2>
<p>Loan of DVDs held within Tower Hamlets - Free. You can borrow items for 1 week.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Audio Visual Material Disclaimer Statement</strong><br />While every effort is made to ensure that our CDs and DVDs are in good working order, users are responsible for checking that a CD or DVD is not damaged, and is compatible with their audio visual equipment, as Tower Hamlets Council will not accept responsibility for any damage caused.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Book Reservations / Requests</h2>
<p>Reservations / Requests for stock held within the London Libraries Consortium (LLC) and collected from a Tower Hamlets Idea Store library - Free.<br />Please note, if the chosen collection library is outside of Tower Hamlets any reservation charges for that library will apply.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Request cannot exceed ten items.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Audio Visual Requests</h2>
<p>Requests for stock held within Tower Hamlets - Free.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Lost and Damaged Items</h2>
<p>Starting from 1 May 2025, we will be implementing the Recommended Retail Prices (RRP) for any lost or damaged items. This change is in line with The Libraries Consortium policy.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Internet access and computers</h2>
<p>Internet access is free&nbsp;<br /><br />Printouts - A4 B&amp;W 30p per sheet. A4 Colour 50p per sheet</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Lost membership cards&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Children &pound;1.10 &nbsp;<br />Adults - &pound;2.20</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Photocopies (self-service)</h2>
<p>Please note, we are currently not providing this service in our Idea Stores/libraries.</p>

Borrowing Information and Library Charges

staff-picks

<p>Whether it's a fantastic crime story, coming of age novel or an in-depth book about climate change - we've got some great recommendations from our staff on what to read.</p>

Staff Picks

learning

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<div class="col-md-6 p-4">
<p>Idea Store Learning provides a range of courses. It&rsquo;s a great way to learn new skills, have fun and make a positive contribution to our community. Many of the programmes are offered within the Idea Stores themselves as well through online learning. Our tutors are experts in their fields and will give you the best learning experience. &nbsp;97% of learners feel that they have a good experience. Our range of courses to include Health &amp; Fitness, Visual Arts, Cookery, Dance, Languages and Community Interpreting.</p>
<p>See our website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ideastore.co.uk/learning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ideastore.co.uk/learning</a></p>
</div>
</div>

Learning

local-history

<div class="row mb-3">
<div class="col-md-3 mb-4"><img class="rounded w-100" src="https://images2.imgbox.com/3d/fd/yXeMguuU_o.jpg" alt="" /></div>
<div class="col-md-9 mb-4">
<p class=" p-3">If you&rsquo;re interested in the history of a street or building, tracing your ancestors who lived in the borough, doing a school or college project or just feeling nostalgic discover Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives. We hold outstanding and unique resources with an extraordinary range of original documents, images and reference books that document the changing local landscape and lived experiences of individuals and communities in Tower Hamlets.<br /><br />See our website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ideastore.co.uk/local-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ideastore.co.uk/local-history</a><a href="https://www.ideastore.co.uk/local-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></p>
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Local  History

Libraries

events

Events

search

Search

account

Account

In 'Spring Rain' writer and gardener, Marc Hamer, now in his sixties, shares his path to contentment from difficult beginnings. Through the prism of family gardens, he reflects on how we reconcile our childhoods with where we end up as adults. Growing up in a violent home, as a young boy Marc found solace and safety in his small back garden. In particular, in its shed, where he stumbled across an incomplete set of old encylopaedias. These books, and observing the plants and insects in his private kingdom, began his lifelong love of learning and openness to the world. Throughout his journey from youth to age, which included a period living homeless in the countryside, Marc has found the answers to life's questions in the nature around him. This memoir, with line drawings by the author, encourages us back in tune with the natural world and offers both consolation and a guide to a happier life.

Spring rain

Spring rain

By: Hamer, Marc, author.

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