Address and contact details

High Street
Walthamstow  E17 7JN

Tel 020 8496 5132
Fax 020 8496 1172
Email wf.libs@walthamforest.gov.uk

Opening hours

The library is open:

  • Monday, 10am-8pm
  • Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am-8pm
  • Wednesday, 9.30am-6pm
  • Saturday, 9.30am-5pm
  • Sunday, Adult Library, Children's Library and Audio Visual Library  12noon-4pm (Reference Library is unavailable)

Regular activites

Tuesday

  • Age Concern drop in advice session 10am-12noon
  • Tuesday Tots for under 5s every Tuesday except school holidays 10.30am-11am
  • Chatterbooks Reading Group for children aged 8-12 years. Every second Tuesday of the month 5-6pm
    For more information please contact Jyoti Singh on 020 8496 3189
  • Walthamstow Reading Group
    Meets on the last Tuesday of the month, 7pm-8pm
    For more information please contact Caroline Rae by calling 020 8496 5121

Wednesday

  • Sing n' Rhyme for 0-3 year olds every Wednesday except school holidays 10.30am-11am

Thursday

  • Thursday Tots for Under 5s every Thursday except school holidays 10.30am-11am

Friday

  • Sing n' Rhyme Time for 0-3 year olds every Friday except school holidays 10.30am-11am
  • Friday Readers
    Reading group which meets on the last Friday of the month 2.30pm-3.30pm. New members are very welcome. To find out what we are reading or for any other information, please contact Debbie Lowe on 020 8496 3189 or email deborah.lowe@walthamforest.gov.uk

Saturday

  • Saturday Stories for Under 5s every Saturday except school holidays 10.30am-11am
  • Councillor surgery
    First and third Saturday of each month

Stock and services

More than 50,000 new books and other stock have been purchased for Walthamstow Library.

Children’s library – the brand new east wing extension to the main library houses the children’s library. This is a safe, protected environment where children of all ages can discover the joy of reading, use designated computers to research homework or relax with friends and parents in the soft seating and story telling area.

Audio-visual library – a brand new library dedicated to all your listening and viewing needs is located next to the new reception area. There is something for everyone,From old favourites to new releases. Don’t forget to ‘try before you buy.' Our new ‘listening posts’ mean you can hear what’s new before you make your choice. CDs, DVDs, videos and spoken word cassettes are all available.

Adult fiction library – a larger library is now available for you to browse our selection of new books. New soft seating areas have been introduced, so take time for yourself and pick a book.

Reference library – Information Services has been brought back into the main library so all your library needs can be met in one visit. The new reference library has all the newspapers, magazines, information and electronic resources you need – from business and community information to job search tools via GCSE and A Level texts – and now, we’ve made more space for you to sit and study.

Information Services offers a wide range of reference materials:

  • Newspapers and magazines and journals
  • Computer use including FREE Internet access and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint)
  • Access to online subscription databases for information and education

Services include:

  • Information Services section provides a "first stop" information and reference library service and for facilitating the provision of information at the borough's other libraries. 
  • The Information Services section produces and provides information on all subjects, including information about: the Local Authority and its services, Council Tax and housing benefit, welfare rights, education and careers, health, local leisure facilities and hall hire, local community groups and organisations.
  • Enquiry service

Free wireless hotspots – a fast, reliable wireless broadband connection to the internet will be available for everyone to use throughout the library. All you need to use the service is a laptop, PDA or mobile phone with built in WLAN capability or an added WiFi card.

New computer room - a dedicated computer suite with 20 public computers available free for you to use.

New non-fiction library - a dedicated library for non-fiction titles available for you to browse from travel guides to help you book your holiday to plumbing guides we have something to help you with anything.