Cowes Library

Welcome to Cowes Library

The library provides a welcoming space to relax in the heart of Cowes. Our library facilities also have a specialist maritime collection and a small maritime museum.

The library is supported locally by our supporters' group that helps raise money for the library and to provide regular events of all kinds.

Opening times

Monday: 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm
Tuesday: 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4.30pm

Special activities and events

Choose your own adventure – colouring club special

Tuesday 18 February 2025
2.00pm to 4.00pm
Drop-in

Lego mosaic challenge

Friday 21 February 2025
All day drop-in

Story time with Natalie

Saturday 22 February 2025
3.00pm to 3.30pm
No need to book

Regular events and activities

Reading Groups

Monthly reading groups are becoming more and more popular. If you wish to join one, start your own group or would just like more information, please contact us.

Rhymetime for babies and toddlers

Held on Mondays 11am to 11.30am. A free, weekly half-hour session of rhymes and action songs to help your baby or toddler with their language development. And it is great for socialising and making new friends for your baby and you. There is no need to book, just come along and have fun.

Cowes Library Games Club for Adults

Held weekly on Mondays 2pm to 4pm. It's for adults to socialise and enjoy playing a variety of board games or cards. If you like to play games such as Scrabble, chess, cribbage, bananagrams or choose from a selection of many more, then come along. If you don't know how to play certain games, then our supporters or others can show you. If you have any games you wish to donate to the Library, bring them in. Refreshments are provided. Contact us for more information.

Tuesday Chess for all ages

A weekly chess club for all ages held between 2 - 5pm. Come and play or learn from others. Supported by Chess in Schools and Communities. All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout.

Cowes Library Drop-in Café

Held on the second Friday of the month from 10.30am to 12pm. If you fancy some tea or coffee, cake, and a friendly chat, or even if you're browsing books, then just pop in between 10.30am and 12pm. Organised by the Supporters of Cowes Library, it's free and all are welcome. You don't need to be a library member to join in.

Games Club for 4 to 12 year-olds

It's held on the first Saturday of every month from 10.30am to 12pm. There are a variety of different games available, such as giant Jenga, Rhino Hero, Twister, and many board games for older children, such as chess and Diamant. It’s a lot of fun and is a great place for children to make new friends! If you have any games you no longer want, then donate them to your Library. Children can bring their own games to share too. Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout.

Cowes LEGO Club

Held from 10am to 12pm on the last Saturday of every month. Each month, children are given a mission to complete, which will be on display until the next month. Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout.

Junior Colouring Club

Held on the third Saturday of the month from 2pm to 4pm. Come and enjoy some colouring-in, drawing and being creative with pencils and pens. All materials provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout.

Casual Chess

First Saturday of the month 11am to 2pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout.

Vectis Historical and Heritage Wargaming Group

Meet monthly on Saturdays at Cowes Library, usually between 10am and 4pm, with a break for lunch. Any level of interest or experience welcome. Models are provided and it's free to attend. Recommended age 16and older. To find out future dates or for more information, contact Cowes Library or email the group.

What we offer

Books
DVDs*
Free internet access and Wi-Fi
eBooks
Talking books on CD and cassette*
Large print books
Blood Pressure monitor loan scheme
Maritime collection
Computer facilities
eMagazines
Free access to Find My Past family history website
Online reference resources
Word processing
Scanning facilities
Colour and black and white photocopying service*
Reference collection
Local Studies collection
Newspapers
Bus Pass applications
Teenage area
Children’s area
Homework collection

*Charges apply for these services.

View our fees and charges (PDF, 233KB, 2 pages) list.

Cowes Heritage publications

We have a range of local interest DVDs and books created by the Cowes Heritage Group for sale. For a full list of items available from the library, visit Cowes Heritage.

Titles include

'The History of Shops in Cowes'
'King Ward and his huge Isle of Wight estate'
'The Story of Northwood House'
' Ward Family' by George Chastney
'The Pubs of Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood' by David Jones
'East & West Cowes in the Second World War including Gurnard, Northwood and Whippingham' by Island author Mark Tetley.

Supporters and volunteers

The Supporters of Cowes Library provide invaluable help to the library and its staff.

The number of activities now available in the library has grown significantly with the help of the supporters group. They raise funds for the library, provide help to organise and run events and give essential support and advice to the library service. The group is a valuable link between us and Cowes residents. It enables us to test out ideas and check that our plans for the library are what residents want.

Maritime collection and museum

Cowes Library hosts the Island's collection of maritime books. The collection is mainly concerned with yachts and yachting, boatbuilding on the Isle of Wight and the hovercraft. We have tried to keep the collection relevant to those aspects of the sea for which the Isle of Wight is noted. We also have a small but interesting maritime museum which is part of the Island's museum collection.