Reopening libraries and the archive search room
We are pleased to announce some further information on libraries reopening over the coming months. We will continue to take a cautious and careful approach, prioritising customer and staff safety above everything else.
All of the dates and details below are provisional and are subject to the government’s roadmap being achieved. We will update this page if anything changes.
Monday 12 April
The following 32 libraries will all open for bookshelf browsing and pre-bookable study space, computer and wifi sessions:
- Ashford Library
- Allington Library
- Birchington Library
- Borough Green Library
- Broadstairs Library
- Canterbury Beaney
- Cheriton Library
- Cliftonville Library
- Coldharbour Library
- Cranbrook Library
- Dartford Library
- Deal Library
- Dover Discovery Centre
- Edenbridge Library
- Faversham Library
- Fleetdown Library
- Gravesend Library
- Herne Bay Library
- Hythe Library
- Kent History and Library Centre (Maidstone)
- Margate Library
- Minster-in-Sheppey Library
- Ramsgate Library
- Sandgate Library
- Sandwich Library
- Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope
- Showfields Library
- Sittingbourne Library
- Swanley Library
- Tonbridge Library
- Tenterden Library
- Whitstable Library.
All of the COVID-19 safety measures you expect will be in place. Opening times will be confirmed soon on each individual library page.
Folkestone and Larkfield Libraries are still being used as symptom-free test sites so they won't reopen as libraries yet. We will announce separate opening dates for these as soon as possible.
Tuesday 13 April
From Tuesday 13 April, our archive search room at The Kent History and Library Centre will open for booked appointments. Find out more about Kent Archives or book an appointment.
Monday 26 April
- Coxheath Library
- Higham Library
- Lenham Library
- New Ash Green Library
- New Romney Library
- Southborough Library, part of the new Southborough community hub building.
Tuesday 27 April
Tuesday 4 May
Summer 2021
We recognise that libraries are an important community facility and it is our intention to reopen the remaining libraries that are yet to reopen over the summer. This is subject to the government’s roadmap being achieved and any local circumstances to make sure our staff and visitors are safe. We will update this page when we have further detail on this step.
Alongside our buildings, we also encourage you to continue using our online library and archive services. This includes Ask a Kent Librarian, e-books, e- magazines and e-newspapers, as well as the virtual events and activities on our social media channels. In addition, the mobile library service continues to operate across the county offering our Staff Picks service.