Gosport Library

The Discovery Centre and library services in the borough

Gosport's main library is housed in the Discovery Centre on the High Street. The Discovery Centre is a combined library, museum, and community facility that opened in its current form as part of an effort to bring several public services under one roof. It is run by Hampshire County Council's library service and is the primary library for the borough.

The library offers the standard range of services you would expect. There is a lending collection of books for adults and children, including fiction, non-fiction, and large print. Audiobooks and DVDs are available for borrowing. Public computers with internet access are provided, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the building. Printing and photocopying facilities are available for a small charge.

The children's section is well used, particularly during school holidays when the library runs reading challenges and activity sessions. The summer reading challenge is a national programme that the Discovery Centre participates in, encouraging children to keep reading through the holidays. Storytime sessions for younger children run on regular days during term time.

The local studies and reference section holds material on Gosport's history, which is useful for anyone researching the borough's past, family history, or local heritage. Given Gosport's long naval and military connections, there is a reasonable amount of historical material to draw on.

The museum element of the Discovery Centre hosts exhibitions on local history and community themes. These change periodically and are free to visit. The exhibitions tend to focus on Gosport's heritage, including its naval connections, the development of the town, and local people and events.

Opening hours vary by day, and it is worth checking the Hampshire Libraries website or phoning ahead to confirm times, as these have been adjusted at various points in recent years due to budget pressures. The library is typically open six days a week, with reduced hours on some days.

Beyond the Discovery Centre, Gosport has had smaller branch libraries in other parts of the borough, though provision has reduced over the years. Bridgemary library has served the northern part of the borough. The long-term future of branch libraries depends on county council funding decisions, which have been under pressure.

Hampshire Library Service operates an online catalogue that allows Gosport residents to search for books across the county's libraries, reserve items, and have them delivered to the Discovery Centre for collection. E-books and e-audiobooks can be borrowed through the BorrowBox app, which is free to use with a Hampshire library card.

Library membership is free and open to anyone living, working, or studying in Hampshire. Signing up takes a few minutes at the desk and requires proof of address. A library card also gives access to online resources including reference databases, newspapers, and magazines.

The Discovery Centre also serves as a community meeting point and venue for events, talks, and group meetings. It is one of the few indoor public spaces in the town centre that is free to enter and open to everyone, which gives it a social function beyond its role as a library and museum. For older residents, regular visitors, and parents with young children, the Discovery Centre is a daily fixture of town centre life.