Ryde Library

Welcome to Ryde Library.

The library provides a welcoming space to relax in the heart of Ryde. 

Our library facilities host the Ryde Help Centre and regular Citizens Advice sessions. For the Help Centre, contact us. For Citizens Advice, call  0800 144 8848.

Opening hours:

  • Monday: 9am to 5.30pm
  • Tuesday: 9am to 5.30pm
  • Wednesday: 10.30am to 7pm
  • Thursday: CLOSED
  • Friday: 9am to 5.30pm
  • Saturday: 9am to 5pm

Special activities and events

New activities coming soon.

Regular events and activities

Shady Ladies Colouring Club

Why not come and have a lovely relaxing colouring session and a coffee with the Ryde Library Shady Ladies (Shady Men also welcome) which runs on a Wednesday from 2.30pm to 5pm. All materials provided. Come along for as long as you like. Contact us for more information.

Knit and Natter

Meets monthly on the last Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm.

Bring along any craft you're currently working on - we'll provide the refreshments - and make new friends. Suitable for all ages and abilities, this group is £1 per session, and there's no need to book.

Free Health Walks and Book Talks

Join us for a walk from Ryde Library followed by a book chat and refreshments. Short walks usually take place on the middle Friday of each month from 10.30am to 12.00pm. Long walks usually take place on the last Friday of each month from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Reading groups

Reading groups meet once a month. For more information, ask at the help desk or call us.

Blokes Book Group

We need men for our men-only book group. The group meets once a month on a Wednesday at 4pm.

Classic Literature Book Group

Meets monthly, on the second Wednesday, at 11am. A reading list is available on request. Contact us for more information.

Murder on Mondays (reading classic crime)

This group meet in Ryde Library.  The group meets monthly on the first Monday, at 5pm. A reading list is available on request.

Audiobook Group    

This group meets on the first Friday of each month at 11am. This group is suitable for anyone with a print disability or barrier to the printed word. Contact us for more information.

Family Board Games Fun Club

Held every Saturday 2pm to 4pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Museum display

Come and study the case of artefacts and our visual display which has been provided by the Island Museum Service.

Find my Past

Ryde Library has free access to ancestry website, ‘Find My Past’. Search for your ancestors in census records and use parish records to find births, marriages and deaths dating back to 1538. Pop in to the library for more information or call us on 01983 823825.

Family history sessions

We are now taking names for the free sessions. Please leave your details at the enquiry desk or call us on the contact tab above, and we will contact you in due course. Free family history for absolute beginners. Want to learn how to research your family tree? Why not try our one-hour starter session to learn the basics.

You can also book a 30-minute session for family history research help if you get stuck. Contact us by email at libraries@iow.gov.uk or call 01983 823825.

Gallery space

The Gallery on the library's upper floor is free to book for your art or photography exhibition. Please ask in the library for details of available dates, and for booking conditions. If you enjoy art, come and look at a selection of paintings or photographs displayed each month.

LEGO Club

LEGO Club takes place every Tuesday, for children aged 5 years and over. The club runs from 3.00pm to 4.30pm in the children's library. It's free of charge, and you don't need to book a place.

Rhymetime for under 5 year olds

An informal session of rhymes and songs for babies and toddlers using bells and rattles, and making lots of noise. The Rhymetime session takes place every Monday (except bank holidays) and runs from 10.30am to 11am.

Children's Storytime

A regular half-hour storytime for younger children, (ideally ages between three to eight years) from 11am to 11.30am every Saturday. It’s free to come along, and you don’t need to book in advance. Children must be supervised by an adult.

What we offer

  • Books
  • DVDs*           
  • Free eBooks   
  • Free internet access and Wi-Fi                  
  • Talking books on CD*                  
  • Large print books                                  
  • Computer facilities      
  • eMagazines and eNewspapers
  • Free access to Find My Past  family history website
  • Online reference resources
  • Word processing      
  • Scanning facilities                          
  • Colour/B&W photocopying and printing services*                                    
  • Reference collection                     
  • Local Studies collection                     
  • Newspapers                                     
  • Bus Pass applications                     
  • Teenage area                     
  • Children’s area         
  • Rhymetime
  • Storytime
  • Gallery
  • Help centre

*Charges apply for these services.

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

Help keep Ryde and the planet tidy

Come into Ryde Library and borrow one of our ten litter pickers for free. Keep it for five days, then return it to the library. Ask us for more information.

Friends of Ryde Library

We have a friends group for Ryde Library, and we're always looking for more members. If you are interested in joining our friends group, contact our library or email Libraries@iow.gov.uk.

Check out the Friends of Ryde Library Facebook page.

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