West Berkshire libraries - the heart of our community

Championing wellbeing, inspiring young readers, and bringing people together

Step into any West Berkshire library and you'll feel the connection, curiosity, and community. Far more than places to borrow books, our libraries are vibrant hubs of learning, support, and belonging.

A £12,000 wellbeing boost every year

A new report from Libraries Connectedshows just how powerful our libraries are. Using Treasury approved methods, Shared Intelligencefound that volunteering in West Berkshire Libraries creates over £12,000 in wellbeing value annually, through reduced loneliness, greater confidence, improved mental health, and NHS savings.

Researchers say the real value is likely even higher!

Open to all

West Berkshire Libraries are free for anyone who lives, works or studies locally. Children can join from birth and borrow up to 15 books, and there's a great range of free e-books, audiobooks, and online magazines too.

Whether you're discovering stories, joining rhyme time, finding a quiet place to work or volunteering, our libraries are here for you.

Summer Reading champions - five years running

For the fifth year in a row, West Berkshire has led the South East in the Summer Reading Challenge. This year, 18% of children under 11 took part, 8% above the regional average, with 3,750 readers of all ages joining in. All 2,721 finishers received a medal and certificate. 409 pre schoolers also took part in the Mini Challenge.

Find your nearest library at westberks.gov.uk/libraries

Interested in volunteering?

Be part of the next chapter, click here to find out more about volunteering.

We hope you love our libraries as much

as we do. Tell us how West Berkshire

Libraries have made a difference in your life here: https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/library-service-stories

Pop in to a pop-up library near you

West Berkshire Council has launched two new pop-up libraries this spring - giving more rural communities easy access to books and friendly library support closer to home. The new pop-ups in Aldworth and Shaw-cum-Donnington will join the existing services in Basildon, Compton, and Leckhampstead.

"Very useful and needed in rural areas."

Pop-up libraries are provided by our West Berkshire Libraries service and funded by the local town or parish council. Each one is staffed by trained library staff who bring a selection of books, help with reservations, and offer advice about other council services. They are designed to make library services more accessible for people who may find it harder to travel.

Residents who already use the pop-ups say they appreciate the friendly service, the convenience of picking up reserved books locally, and the chance to stay connected with the wider library network.

"I value that the library comes out to us."

Between April 2025 and February 2026, the three current pop-ups welcomed 476 visitors and loaned nearly 1,500 books. There were also 72 residents who became registered borrowers thanks to the easier access the pop-up libraries provide.

To find dates, times, and any changes to future sessions, visit: westberks.gov.uk/outreach