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Things You Can Borrow for Free with a UK Library Card

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A UK library card is basically a tiny superpower. Obviously you can borrow books (lots of them), but most library services now include a whole “digital branch” too — think ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, and even film streaming — plus a steady calendar of free events.

What you get varies a bit by council area, but here are the most common free things you can borrow (or access) with a UK library card.

1) Books, large print and talking books

Let’s start with the classic: printed books. Most libraries let you borrow multiple titles at once, renew online, and reserve books to collect later (sometimes for a small reservation fee, but borrowing itself is free).

Many services also offer:

  • Large print books
  • “Talking books” (physical audio formats in some areas)
  • Children’s books and picture books (brilliant if you’ve got kids and don’t want to store 500 bedtime stories forever)

If you haven’t visited in a while, it’s worth popping in — lots of libraries have expanded ranges including graphic novels and teen sections, not just “quiet classics”.

2) eBooks and audiobooks

Essentially a library in your pocket. This is the perk that surprises people most: you can often borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks 24/7 using library apps such as Libby (OverDrive) and BorrowBox.

Typical setup:

  • Download the app (Libby or BorrowBox)
  • Sign in with your library card number + PIN
  • Borrow instantly, or place a hold if a title’s popular

A nice bonus: digital loans expire automatically, so no late fees panic. Many library services also include eMagazines in the same ecosystem (often with fewer or no waiting lists).

3) TV and film streaming (no subscription required)

Some UK library services partner with Kanopy, a streaming platform that focuses on indie films, documentaries, world cinema, and more. If your local library is signed up, you can watch for free using your library login.

A couple of things to know:

  • Access depends on your library authority (not every council offers it)
  • There may be monthly viewing limits (again: depends on the library)

If you’re trying to cut subscriptions, Kanopy can be a genuinely decent replacement for “I just want something good to watch”.

4) Digital newspapers and magazines (hello, 7,000+ titles)

Many libraries offer PressReader, which gives access to thousands of UK and international newspapers and magazines digitally — handy if you like reading the papers without paying multiple subscriptions.

If you’re a “weekend magazine” person or you read international titles, this alone can be worth the library card.

5) Free music (streaming and downloads)

Some libraries include Freegal, which lets you stream music and (often) download a certain number of tracks per week, using your library card login.

This varies by area, but if you spot Freegal on your library’s eLibrary page, it’s a great “why am I paying for this elsewhere?” moment.

6) Free events: storytimes, rhyme times, author talks and clubs

Libraries are quietly one of the best free things to do in the UK, especially with kids.

Common events include:

  • Rhymetime / storytime sessions for babies and under-5s
  • Reading groups and book chats
  • Workshops and talks (sometimes local history, crafts, digital skills)
  • Family activities during school holidays

Most councils list events online (search “[your council] library what’s on”). Here’s an example of the kind of listings many services run.

7) Board games (and sometimes borrowing them home)

A growing number of libraries now treat board games like books: borrow for a few weeks, return, repeat. Kensington & Chelsea, for example, runs a Games Library where games are free to borrow for a set loan period.

Some libraries also host drop-in board game sessions. If you’re trying to plan cheap nights in, this is a seriously underrated win.

8) Research tools you’d normally pay for

Depending on where you live, your library card may unlock pricey research resources, such as:

  • Ancestry (Library Edition) for family history research
  • Access to Research, which provides walk-in access to academic articles on library terminals in participating libraries

These can be brilliant for students, writers, or anyone doing a deep-dive hobby project.

9) Bonus: “Libraries of Things” (tools, kit, camping gear)

This isn’t universal, but it’s worth knowing about. Around the UK, “Libraries of Things” let you borrow useful household items like tools or equipment instead of buying. Some are free-to-borrow community models; others charge small fees.

Not every Library of Things is run by the council library service, but it’s the same borrowing mindset — and it can save a fortune.

How to find what your UK library card includes

Quick checklist:

  1. Go to your local library website and look for “Digital library / eLibrary” pages
  2. Search the site for Libby, BorrowBox, PressReader, Kanopy, Freegal, Ancestry
  3. Check the “What’s on” or Events section for free groups and sessions

If you tell me your council area (or nearest town), I can point you to the exact pages and perks your library service offers.

OLDER