Bishop Auckland Library

Opening Hours

Monday 10.00am - 7.00pm

Tuesday 10.00am - 7.00pm
Wednesday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Thursday 10.00am - 7.00pm
Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday 9.00am - 4.00pm

If you wish to renew or reserve an item, please go to our Libraries Online page.

Contact Details

Bishop Auckland Town Hall
Market Place
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 7NP

Tel: 01388 602610
Fax: 01388 602610
Email: Bishop Auckland Library

Contact: Janet Strong

Location map of Bishop Auckland Library

Location and Access

The library is on the ground floor of Bishop Auckland Town Hall, a French-chateau style building in the middle of Bishop Auckland Market Place next door to St Anne’s Church. Bishop Auckland's main library occupies a unique site within the Town Hall complex of library, tourist information centre, gallery, theatre, cafe/bar and meeting rooms. Opened in 1993, the library offers one of the most comprehensive lending and information services in County Durham with a wide range of services, events and activities for you and your family to enjoy.

The entrance to the Town Hall is level and access for wheelchairs is convenient. There is a hearing loop system in the Tourist Information Centre, on the ground floor, and in the Eden Theatre on the first floor. There is a lift to upper floors. In the library there is an accessible public computer with Supernova software, a large keyboard, adjustable table, and trackerball There is an accessible public toilet on the first floor, which is open to the public from 10.00am to 4.00pm on weekdays.

Transport and Travel

The nearest bus stops are to the left of the front entrance and round the corner of the church and by the JobCentre on the other side of the Market Place. All other bus services, through the town, are available from the bus station behind the Newgate Centre, just four minutes’ walk away down Newgate Street.

There are a few free-of-charge spaces for disabled drivers opposite the front of the Town Hall, and some more free spaces for general drivers round to the left of the church, but during market days these are reserved for market traders. The main pay car park nearby is in North Bondgate, two minutes’ walk away.

Services at a Glance

See the key for service icons.

Services in Detail

• Books for adults and children
• Books in large print
• Book promotions
• Book request service
• Books in foreign languages (by request only)
• Books in dual languages (by request only)
• British Standards On-line
• Census records on microfiche
• Community Information Online
• Computers for public use with Internet access and email facilities
• Display space and regular exhibitions
• Durham Record Database (via public access pcs)
• Telephone translation service
• Information and enquiry service
• Information leaflets
• Language courses (by request)
• Local history collection
• Local newspaper
• Mormon IGI index.
• Music scores (by request)
• Open Learning Courses
• Photocopying
• Reference books
• Rooms for hire
• Sales of local history books and stationery
• Talking books
• Videos
• Video conferencing

Regular Events

There are many regular events taking place in Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Various groups use the premises regularly, including an Over 50's club (the Evergreens), the University of the 3rd Age, and Bishop Auckland Choral Society. There are periodical MP's surgeries.

To view a list of new additions to the Library visit our monthly booklist page.