Share this page
Gloucestershire County Council provides 31 council run libraries, a Digital Immersive Storytelling Centre, access to a variety of online services and supports eight volunteer run community libraries. During 2023/24 Gloucestershire Libraries recorded approx. 1.5 million visits to their sites and approx. 1.5 million items borrowed both in person and online. Within six of our libraries there are Labs with a host of high-tech equipment to work with customers on digital innovation.

Over the past two years we have opened two new library spaces in Stroud and Gloucester. Stroud is now located within the Five Valleys Shopping Centre and Gloucester is apart of the University City Campus.

Our libraries are more than a place to borrow books, library buildings are accessible, safe community spaces that offer a range of activities, maker spaces and digital equipment for residents of Gloucestershire to use free of charge.

A five year Library Strategy (2023-2028) has been developed with the staff team, for Gloucestershire libraries with the aim of the service is welcoming, inclusive, innovative, and inspiring.

Gloucestershire Libraries aim to be vibrant safe spaces at the heart of the county’s diverse communities, through the 32 buildings we aim to encourage connections and creativity. It is important to provide equality of access to storytelling, culture, technology, trusted information, and learning opportunities.

Collaborative and partnership working is at the core of what we do. We work with and for communities in Gloucestershire and will continue to adapt and respond to changing needs, championing sustainability, and promoting health & wellbeing.

In 2025 we launched an ambitious Greener Together Strategy which sets out future ambition on the aims of Gloucestershire Libraries with environmental planning and projects.

Within the Library Strategy we have singled out five key areas that Gloucestershire will focus on over the next five years. These are titled the five C’s - Core, Community, Connect, Climate and Creativity. These areas set out new ambitions to broaden the remit of what our libraries offer to local residents.