Libraries in Havant
Books, digital access and community resources
Havant Library, located in the town centre, is the principal public library serving the Havant area. The library is managed by Hampshire County Council Library Service and provides free access to books, newspapers, magazines, computers, the internet and a range of community information.
The library's book stock covers fiction, non-fiction, children's books, large print and audio books. Reservations can be placed online for titles held at any Hampshire library, and books are delivered to the local branch for collection. The service is free for standard loans, with a small charge for reservations and overdue items.
Digital resources have expanded the library's offer considerably. Library members have free access to e-books and e-audiobooks through apps such as BorrowBox and Libby. Online newspapers and magazines are available through PressReader. Reference databases, including historical archives and local studies material, can be accessed from library computers or remotely with a library card.
Public computers in the library provide free internet access and printing facilities. The computers are well used by residents who do not have internet access at home, by job seekers completing online applications, and by students and researchers. WiFi is available for those bringing their own devices.
The library hosts a programme of events and activities, including reading groups for adults, Rhyme Time sessions for babies and toddlers, story times for pre-school children, coding clubs for young people, and digital skills sessions for adults. These activities are free or low-cost and contribute to the library's role as a community hub rather than simply a book-lending service.
Local studies and family history resources are available in the library, providing material for residents researching the history of Havant and the surrounding area. The collection includes maps, photographs, local newspaper archives and published histories.
Leigh Park also has library provision, reflecting the estate's large population and the importance of providing accessible community facilities in an area where social need is higher than the borough average.
Libraries have faced funding pressures in recent years, with Hampshire County Council reducing budgets and adjusting opening hours. The services that libraries provide, free access to information, reading, digital resources and community activities, remain important, particularly for residents on lower incomes and for those who are isolated or digitally excluded.
Libraries have faced funding pressures in recent years, with Hampshire County Council reducing budgets and adjusting opening hours. The services that libraries provide, free access to information, reading, digital resources and community activities, remain important, particularly for residents on lower incomes and for those who are isolated or digitally excluded. Havant Library is one of those public services that is easy to take for granted but difficult to replace. It provides a quiet, free, accessible space in the town centre where anyone can walk in and read, learn, research or simply sit in peace. The value of that provision, particularly in an age of constant digital noise, should not be underestimated.