Hayling Island Library
Books, services and community space
Hayling Island Library provides a range of services to the island community, offering books, digital resources, internet access and a space for community activities. The library is part of the Hampshire Library Service and is one of the few public facilities on the island that is open to all without charge.
The library stocks fiction, non-fiction, children's books, large print books, audiobooks and a reference collection. The fiction section covers popular genres including crime, romance, historical fiction, science fiction and literary fiction, and new titles are added regularly. The non-fiction collection covers a wide range of subjects, and items not held at Hayling can be reserved from other Hampshire libraries and delivered for collection.
Digital services have become an increasingly important part of the library's offering. Members can borrow e-books and e-audiobooks through the library's digital platform, access online newspapers and magazines, and use the library's computers and wifi for internet access, job searching, form filling and other online tasks. For residents without home internet access, the library provides a vital connection to the digital world.
The children's section is well stocked and hosts regular activities including story time sessions, reading challenges and school holiday events. These activities encourage reading from an early age and provide a social outlet for young children and their parents or carers.
The library serves as a community hub and meeting place. Reading groups, knitting groups, local history sessions and other activities take place in the library space, bringing people together for shared interests. The library noticeboard advertises local events, groups and services, and the staff are a source of local knowledge and practical help.
For an island community with limited public facilities, the library plays a disproportionately important role. It is a warm, welcoming, free-to-use space where people of all ages can read, study, connect and participate in community life. The threat of library closures and reduced hours, which has affected libraries across the country, is keenly felt on Hayling, where the library is one of the few communal spaces that serves the whole community.
Opening hours are published on the Hampshire Library Service website and may vary during school holidays and bank holidays. The library is typically open several days per week, with a mix of morning, afternoon and occasional evening sessions.