Kent Libraries, Registration & Archives

29/10/2026

Throughout October, we've been shining a light on Kent reads, with an Explore Local booklist for you to browse and our Book of the Month - local author Julie Wassmer's latest instalment in the Whitstable Pearl Mysteries series, Murder at St Alfred's.

Read all about it in the article below, and find our monthly recommended reads over on our online catalogue homepage via our website.

Don't miss your chance to join Julie at Library on Saturday 7 November at 11am for a special author talk as part of our National Year of Reading programme - book your free tickets by calling the Folkestone Libraries team on 03000 41 31 31 or email [email protected]

Love talking about your latest read? Looking for something new for your bookshelf? Join our private Kent Libraries Book Chat Facebook group to chat with other Kent readers and our knowledgeable Stock Team.

Kent Libraries chooses Murder at St Alfred’s as its “Book of the Month” with an Explore Local theme

23/10/2026

Service notice: uLibrary is back online and available to use again.

22/10/2026

NEW: Borrow a thermal imaging camera from Kent Libraries 📷🏠

We’re celebrating Green Libraries Week with a new way to explore your home. Green Libraries Week celebrates how libraries are supporting climate and sustainability in their communities.

To mark the week, Kent Libraries is launching a new thermal imaging camera loan service.

Kent Library members can borrow a thermal imaging camera for free and use it at home to spot possible heat loss and learn more about their home’s energy efficiency.

🪪Free to borrow for library members aged 16 years and older
📅 Borrow for up to 7 days
📚Available from selected Kent Libraries

Before you use: you’ll need a compatible smartphone or tablet and the free FLIR ONE app.

Find out more and reserve a camera by visiting kent.gov.uk/thermalcamera

21/10/2026

Calling all book lovers!

As part of the National Year of Reading, we're spending October exploring local stories, places and authors.

This month, we're thrilled to feature Julie Wassmer's newest novel, Murder at St Alfred's as our Book of the Month. Set in Whitstable, the latest Whitstable Pearl mystery promises intrigue, suspense and a distinctly Kentish backdrop...

Alongside our Book of the Month, our Stock Team has compiled a reading list of over 50 books set in Kent for you to explore. You can find the full list over on our Kent Libraries catalogue homepage.

But we also need your help - if you were creating the ultimate local reading list, which book would you add?

Whether it's a gripping crime novel, a local history favourite, a family read or a hidden Kentish treasure, add a comment to share your recommendations. You might just inspire someone else's next library reservation!

Looking for more recommended reads? Join our Kent Libraries Book Chat Facebook group.

16/10/2026

We're delighted to be featuring local author Julie Wassmer's Murder at St Alfred's, the latest instalment in the much-loved Whitstable Pearl Mysteries series, as our Book of the Month.

October's theme is Explore Local, celebrating Kent's incredible stories, settings and writers. We've put together a list of over 50 books set in Kent on our online catalogue homepage, but we're sure there are more hidden gems out there...

What's the best book you've read that's set in Kent? Is there a local author you'd recommend? A story that captures a place you know and love?

Share your suggestions in the comments and help fellow readers discover their next great read as part of the National Year of Reading!

Looking for more recommended reads? Join our Kent Libraries Book Chat Facebook group.

09/10/2026

01/10/2026

We're thrilled to announce that local author Julie Wassmer's newest book, Murder at St Alfred's, has been chosen as our National Year of Reading October Book of the Month!

This month's Explore Local theme celebrates our wonderful county, shining a spotlight on Kent's stories, places and authors.

Julie’s newest book in the Whitstable Pearl Mystery series (now a major TV drama) sees private detective and restaurateur Pearl Nolan solve a classic crime mystery, having found a body on hallowed ground...

The National Year of Reading is a UK-wide initiative encouraging more people to discover the pleasure of reading. If you're into it, read into it!

Throughout the year, Kent Libraries and Archives have been supporting the campaign through themed reading recommendations, a free author talk programme, activities and a monthly Book of the Month designed to help everyone discover new books, new interests and to make the most of their local library.

Reserve and borrow your copy of the book, discover themed reading recommendations and find out more about how to join in with National Year of Reading celebrations over on the Kent Libraries website.

30/09/2026

Go All In for the National Year of Reading - book onto our upcoming half term events and activities in libraries!

We've got some brilliant children's authors visiting us during October half term in libraries across Kent as part of our National Year of Reading 2026 Author Talk Programme. Don't miss out, book your free tickets and pop the dates in your diary!

Tamara McFarlane (Cryptids, Magic Mysteries and Dragons, Underwater World)
📍 Library
📅 Monday 26 October, 10.30am

Join children's author Tamara Macfarlane for a spine-tingling journey into the world of her new book Cryptids to uncover the strange and wonderful! Then it's your turn to invent your very own cryptid! A 40-minute adventure full of curiosity, creativity and surprises. Perfect for young explorers!

Alasdair Beckett-King (Montgomery Bonbon)
📍 Library
📅 Tuesday 27 October, 2.30pm

Meet children’s author and comedian Alasdair Beckett-King, creator of the Montgomery Bonbon series!

Sheena Dempsey (Pablo and Splash)
📍 Library
📅 Thursday 29 October, 10.30am

Meet Folkestone based children’s author and illustrator Sheena Dempsey - known for her award-winning graphic novel series about time-travelling penguins, and her illustrations for other brilliant books, including Ferne Cotton’s picture books and Lucy Courtenay’s Mermaid School series!

Zoe Arena (Mandy is Still a Banana)
📍 Library
📅 Thursday 29 October, 10.30am

Meet Kent children’s author Zoe Arena who will be telling us all about her charming picture book, Mandy is Still a Banana, a celebration of being true to yourself and learning to love the skin you're in…

Steven Butler (Odd Bods, Dog Diaries, The Wrong Pong)
📍 Library
📅 Thursday 29 October, 2.30pm

Join us for a free storytelling and activity session with bestselling children’s author Steven Butler (who grew up in Kent!) inspired by his book, Spooked: The Theatre Ghosts!

Lucy Strange (Our Castle by the Sea, Lockett & Wilde, The Mermaid in the Millpond)
📍 Library
📅 Saturday 31 October, 10.30am

Meet award winning local children’s author Lucy Strange who will be introducing her brand new spooky Lockett & Wilde Mystery, The Ghosts of the Library

Contact local library teams to book - you can also find more information and contact details on our website, or call us on 03000 41 31 31

Don't forget, you can reserve and borrow all of the titles mentioned above and more for free with a child's library card! Plus no late charges, no fuss and you can borrow up to 30 titles at a time!

Looking for more great book recommendations and authors? Want to chat about your current read? Looking for a local bookish community? Join our friendly Kent Libraries Book Chat Facebook group.

24/09/2026

We want to say a great big WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS to all of our 2026 Summer Reading Challenge participants - with over 16,000 children joining in across Kent this summer! 🏅

We had so much fun hitting reading related goals, making noise and getting creative in libraries with our Read to the Beat musical activities. Big thanks to our partners and activity providers for helping us to deliver lots of exciting events over the holidays.

If you missed out over the summer, we've got lots to come! Head to our website and bookmark our 'Clubs and activities in libraries' page to keep an eye on free upcoming events near you.

This year's Summer Reading Challenge may have come to an end, but children can still browse, borrow and be inspired by the official booklist! You can find this featured on our online catalogue for September, along with our National Year of Reading Book of the Month, The Wonder by Tom Percival.

Looking for more recommendations for all ages? Join our Kent Libraries Book Chat Group, where our Stock Team and members feature events, bestselling books, award winners, comfort reads and recent releases to make note of.