Quick answer
Hull Central Library on Albion Street is a library with a children’s library and free under 5s sessions. It is indoors, so it suits a rainy day. Anyone can use Hull’s libraries, joining is free, and children can join from birth. It is closed on Sundays, and Friday hours are 9.30am to 1pm only. The under 5s sessions run in term time only, and you just turn up.
Is it right for my child?
- Babies and toddlers: the library runs Baby Bounce, Toddler Time, Toddler Tunes and Storytime each week in term time. They are free, and there is no need to book.
- Young readers: Hull Libraries says its libraries welcome children from the very earliest months of life, with dedicated spaces for children.
- Older children: the Hull and East Riding Chess Association runs a free chess session every Saturday from 11am to 1pm. The event page says all ages and abilities are welcome.
- Not for under 16s: MakerspaceHull, the workshop space hosted in the library, is described as a space for adults. Members must be 16 when they join.
- Noise: the library’s social story says it is usually a quiet place, but sometimes it might be noisy. It suggests talking to a librarian if it is noisy.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Check the day. The library is closed on Sundays, opens at 1pm on Wednesdays and closes at 1pm on Fridays.
- Pick a session. Toddler Time is on Monday mornings, Baby Bounce on Monday afternoons, and Storytime and Toddler Tunes on Thursday mornings.
- Join while you are there. Adults over 18 need proof of ID, such as a driving licence or recent utility bill, to collect a new card.
- Ask staff to book a computer. The social story says the computers are free, but you reserve a time by speaking to a member of staff.
- Call at a quieter time. The contact page says late afternoon and Wednesday and Thursday evenings are better times to phone.
Prices and tickets
Joining is free. Hull Libraries says anyone can use its libraries, and that most of its services and events are free.
- Under 5s sessions: free, term time only, no booking needed at Hull Central Library.
- Saturday chess: free, just turn up. Boards, sets and clocks are available.
- Library card: free. Children can choose from 7 card designs, including mountains, moon, jungle and a baby design.
- Borrowing limits: a card lets you borrow up to 20 books, 5 DVDs, 8 CDs and 10 ebooks, emagazines or ecomics. The borrowing page asks you to return items in the condition they were issued.
- MakerspaceHull (16 plus only): a day pass costs £5, and general membership is £15 a month or £165 a year. Some premium equipment has an extra usage fee.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Changing Places: the council’s Live Well Hull site lists a Changing Places toilet at Central Library, Albion Street. Its phone contact is 01482 210 000.
- Radar key: Live Well Hull says you can buy a Radar key for £4 at Central Library. It opens locked accessible toilets around the country.
- Not on the official pages: the library’s own pages do not describe step-free access, lifts, pushchair parking or baby changing. Call 01482 210 000 before you go if you need these.
Food and drink
Hull Libraries’ Saturday chess event page says games are played in the Library Café or Main Hall. No page we saved gives the café’s menu or opening hours.
Hull City Council’s news release of 16 April 2026 says the library’s Space to Inspire funding will pay for a new themed café. The release gives no opening date.
Getting there and parking
Address: Hull Central Library, Albion Street, Hull HU1 3TF.
The library’s own pages do not give parking, bus or train details. Check your route before you travel, or phone the library on 01482 210 000.
When to visit
Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday 9.30am to 5pm, Wednesday 1pm to 7.30pm, Thursday 9.30am to 7.30pm, Friday 9.30am to 1pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm. Closed Sundays.
- Under 5s sessions at this library: Toddler Time is Monday 10am to 10.45am and Baby Bounce is Monday 1.30pm to 2.15pm. Storytime is Thursday 9.45am to 10.30am and Toddler Tunes is Thursday 11am to 11.45am.
- Term time only: the Eventbrite listing for these sessions runs from Monday 14 September to Friday 18 December. Hull City Council’s term dates show schools closing for Christmas on Friday 18 December 2026.
- Healthy Holidays Hull: Hull Libraries is taking part this winter, with free sessions in the school holidays. The booking page says sessions run from Monday 21 December to Wednesday 30 December 2026.
- That booking page says bookings opened on Monday 9 November 2026 at 5pm for all Hull residents and children who attend a Hull school. The pages we saved do not say which libraries host each session.
- Christmas and New Year: the official pages we saved do not give Christmas or New Year opening times. Check before you travel in December.
Planned improvements: the April 2026 release says the funding will bring a sensory room, quiet spaces for adults with additional needs and a refurbished children’s library. The pages we saved give no dates for this work, so check before you travel.
Additional needs and disability support
Hull Libraries publishes an autism friendly social story for Hull Central Library, and offers some formats on request.
- Social story: a picture guide called “I’m going to Hull Central Library” explains joining, borrowing and using the computers. Download it from the library page.
- Ask first, or ask for a tour: the social story says a nervous visitor can call 01482 210000 with questions and can ask for a tour of the library.
- Formats: Hull Libraries offers information about the library service in different languages, large print and Braille on request.
- Changing Places: Live Well Hull lists a Changing Places toilet at Central Library.
- Sensory room: the April 2026 news release announced a sensory room and quiet spaces for adults with additional needs, with no opening date. Ask the library whether they are open before you visit.
- The library’s own pages do not mention relaxed sessions, hearing loops or ear defenders to borrow.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hull Central Library free?
Joining is free, and Hull Libraries says most of its services and events are free. MakerspaceHull, for members aged 16 or over, charges for day passes and membership.
Can my child join Hull Central Library?
Yes. There is no age limit, and children can join from birth. Children aged 15 and under do not need a parent with them, proof of identity or a parent’s signature to join.
When is Baby Bounce at Hull Central Library?
Baby Bounce is on Mondays from 1.30pm to 2.15pm in term time. There is no need to book at this library.
Is Hull Central Library open on Sundays?
No. It is closed on Sundays. On Saturdays it opens from 10am to 4pm.
Is Hull Central Library good for autistic children?
Hull Libraries offers a social story for this library, and you can phone ahead or ask for a tour. The library is usually quiet but can sometimes be noisy. A sensory room was announced in April 2026 with no opening date, so ask whether it is open.
Is Hull Central Library open at Christmas?
The official pages we saved do not give Christmas or New Year opening times. The term-time under 5s sessions are listed up to Friday 18 December, so check before you travel.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Hull Libraries pages for Hull Central Library, children’s events, joining the library and the social stories, plus Hull City Council’s Live Well Hull toilets page and term dates. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
