Libraries from home
As a Leicester library member, you can use our new book order and collect service along with accessing our virtual library, activities and resources from the comfort of your own home, whilst our libraries and community centres are closed.
Our services and activities
You can join online to receive a temporary library card number and PIN. This allows you to access our Digital Library including all of our eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eComics. The card will be active for six months after the libraries reopen. Within that time you will need to bring proof of ID to one of the city libraries where your card will be made permanent.
We offer a wide range of downloadable digital media. These include eBooks and eAudiobooks for loan. We also have eMagazines and eComics which you can download and read:
Further services and activities
Discover your family history and build a family tree with the world's largest genealogy website. Search birth records, census data, obituaries and more! To access Ancestry from home please login to your library account via our online catalogue and follow the Ancestry link.
The full version of Theory Test Pro currently available free from home to help you practice online.
Access links to useful reference material, including services we subscribe to for our members. All subscription services are free to our members, including:
- Business and Law
- Driving theory test
- History
A full list of resources is available on our Information and reference page.
Our Artists in Residence, Dave "Stickman" Higgins and Sophie Cullinan have literally leapt into action, to jump out of the libraries, and into homes and classrooms to create fantastic opportunities to support children’s learning.
Online creative activity sessions for families, including storytelling and rhymes. You can access these via the Leicester Children’s Centre Facebook page.
Home learning and activities
BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity.
BookTrust HomeTime - enjoy story-time with free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, test your knowledge in book-themed quizzes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters.
The Reading Agency is a charity registered in England and Wales which promotes the benefits of reading among children and adults in the UK.
The Reading Agency Hub has free resources and activities for all ages and abilities.
Off School is a free website full of ideas for home learning and fun activities.
Spark at Home - the Spark team have been busy working from their homes to bring you a collection of creative resources and imaginative activities for families at home and school. We hope you enjoy jamming, making, listening to new stories or taking a creative challenge.
BBC Bitesize - learning resources for adults, children, parents and teachers: find videos and audio clips by level, subject and topic.
Learning at home - Ideas and guidance for fun, simple activities that will engage your children at home, while also benefiting their reading, writing and language development.
Other resources
A new daily YouTube broadcast featuring book recommendations from professional librarians. The daily videos will focus on helping children and families discover new, diverse reading experiences. The broadcast will run Monday to Friday at 11am.
BBC Arts - bringing arts and culture into your home via a virtual book festival, exhibitions, performances, museums and much more besides.
Discovering Children's Books - aimed at primary school children, teachers and book-lovers of all ages. The site explores the history and rich variety of children's literature, through treasures from the British Library, Seven Stories, Bodleian Libraries and the V&A.