BCP Council Libraries offer a free, safe and inclusive space for children, families and young people. Facilities include large print books, dyslexia-friendly books, books with few or no words, e-books and e-audio books. 

For full details of services available at BCP Council libraries, library locations and contact details, click on the links listed in the `website links' section.

Activities and groups

BCP libraries provide a wide range of groups and activities.

A range of library events are also listed on the Family Information Directory.

Bookstart

Bookstart is a scheme providing free book packs for pre-school children. Bookstart Baby packs are gifted by health professionals and Bookstart Treasure packs by early years providers.

Bookstart promotes a lifelong love of books and is based on the principle that children in the UK should enjoy and benefit from books as early as possible.

Find out more about Bookstart in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Homework Help

All BCP Libraries offer Homework Help which includes information books, free access to the Computers and the Internet, free printing, and photocopying (limits apply).

Support for people with disabilities

Services for people with physical disabilities include designated parking, modified keyboards and trackball mouse.

Services for people with visual impairments include audio books and in select libraries DVDs.

Services for people with hearing impairments include induction loops and contact via Text Relay - just put 18001 in front of any of our library phone numbers.

Arts Award

Arts Award is a nationally recognised qualification that aims to help young people aged 7 to 25 explore their creative skills and develop as artists and arts leaders.

BCP Council libraries are Arts Award supporters, offering activities such as author/illustrator events, arts and cultural activities and the Summer Reading Challenge. We also have volunteering opportunities. You can count attendance or volunteering at any of our events for children and teens as part of your Arts Award. To find out more about Arts Award please visit the Arts Award website.