Last updated: 12 November 2025
Free books, e-books and audiobooks
Whatever your preferred way to enjoy books, there’s an option at libraries.
2026 is the National Year of Reading
If you're into it, read into it.
Whether you're interested in football, family time, fashion, cooking, comics or crafting, reading is the ultimate way to dive further into what you love.
Libraries everywhere will be getting involved in the National Year of Reading in 2026.
Free digital newspapers and magazines
Books aren’t the only way to read.
Libraries offer ways to follow the news, current affairs and your personal interests, all through your own device. Below you’ll see some of the things you can read through the library.
Keep up with the news
Depending on your library authority’s subscriptions, you can access digital versions of:
- The Daily Mirror
- Daily Mail
- The Guardian
- Daily Star
- Daily Express
- Metro
- Newsweek
- The Economist
- The Spectator
Explore your interests
As well as books related to hobbies, libraries offer digital versions of well-known magazines such as:
- Heat
- Grazia
- New Scientist
- Good Housekeeping
- Cycling Weekly
- Empire
- BBC Gardeners’ World
- ComputerActive
- Good Food
- Classic Rock
Questions about using libraries
“My world — and my children’s world — would be a lot smaller without the library.”
Rachel
Customer, Wakefield Libraries
Free books and more for all ages
Whether you're after the latest bestseller, a new e-book for your commute or a magazine related to your hobby, libraries have something for everyone.
They’re free, easy to use and filled with endless stories waiting to be discovered.
Did you know?
Many libraries run projects like the Reading Ahead challenge, which help less confident readers find ways to enjoy the benefits of reading. Ask for more information at your nearest library.
Expand your world
Libraries are great ways to access publications from abroad – with no paywalls. Titles include:
- The Wall Street Journal
- The Washington Post
- The New Yorker
- EL PAIS
- South China Morning Post
- The New Yorker
- Bloomberg Businessweek
More reading in libraries
Reading for kids and young people
Libraries help children build and maintain a love of reading for life.
E-lending
Libraries let you borrow books, newspapers and magazines digitally and for free.
More to discover in libraries
Health in libraries
Find help for your physical and mental wellbeing. Access free checkups, support groups, fitness activities and health information.
Families in libraries
Free fun for all ages, from story and rhyme times to LEGO clubs and board games. Plus cosy reading nooks and cafes!
Work & skills in libraries
Get free business support and a quiet space to work. Find tools and resources to help you learn new skills at any time of life.