St Ives Library is a lovely place that anyone can visit. It is mainly used by locals, but anyone visiting is welcome too.
St Ives Library is located right in the heart of the town, on the corner of Tregenna Place and Gabriel Street (the bit that lorries keep on getting wedged on!).
It is a really lovely little library with very helpful and welcoming staff.
Children's Section
There is a nice sized children’s area at the back of the library (on the ground floor). It is really well stocked and has comfy cushions, boxes of books to look through, and a drawing table always set up.
Children’s books can be borrowed by visitors to the town. You just need to take your local library card in and exchange it for a temporary St Ives Library card. This is really useful if you are coming here on holiday – you don’t need to bring a huge pile of books with you!
Groups and Activities
The library runs lots of activities for all ages. There is the bounce and rhyme singing group held weekly for under 5’s, Lego club, yoga and various art and craft things during the holidays. There is also history groups, poetry circles, book groups and other things to get involved in. Recently, I took a fabulous photography evening class there which was run by Truro & Penwith college.
The groups are mainly held upstairs in the Greta Williams Room. For more information on courses and groups held here, please visit their website >>
Art and History Books
The library has an amazing collection of local books and history books. The librarians are also a fount of local history knowledge – just ask if you are wanting to know something.
Works Of Art
The building also houses lots of amazing local art – it is like a mini art gallery upstairs!
St Ives Library Shop
The library has a really nice little shop with lots of visitor books and bits and bobs. They also sell our game, The Great St Ives Pasty Dash, and our jigsaw, St Ives From Above! You can go in there and see them in real life before you buy them.
St Ives Tourist Information
The tourist information has now relocated from The Guildhall to St Ives Library. Here you can find out all sorts of useful information, get help with accomodation and lots more.
St Ives Library Opening Times
Monday to Saturday: 9:30 – 4pm
Sunday: CLOSED
St Ives Library Useful Information
The nearest car park is either at St Ives Station or behind the laundrette on The Stennack. There is no parking any closer than this.
The nearest bus stops are in Royal Square and St Ives Bus Station.
There are wheelchair accessible toilets on each floor, with a lift up to the first floor.
There are baby changing facilities.
The library has 16 computers with internet access. Free WIFI is also available (as at the desk).
There are scanning, printing and photocopying facilities.
