What is an Idea Store?
Libraries in Tower Hamlets are part of the world-renowned Idea Store service.
Idea Stores combine the best of traditional library and information services with lifelong learning opportunities, offering:
- libraries for adults and children
- career development advice and training
- courses and learning opportunities including online learning
- exercise and dance classes
and other activities in award-winning buildings on the high street.
What's On at Idea Stores
Library services
Borrow books, CDs and DVDs along with an extensive offering of online materials including eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, digital newspapers and much more.
Monthly book groups both in-store and online.
Weekly over 50s Prime Time sessions for enjoying socialising, as well as talks, films, games and other events.
Is English your second language and you want to practise speaking it with others? Then join our weekly Conversation Club. We have two sessions.
Would you like to share stories and poetry to lift the mood? Possibly take a turn of reading out loud? Join our weekly Book Break group every Tuesday online
Need help using your smart device or want to brush up on your IT skills? Come along to our weekly Get Online – Go Digital workshops and learn at your own pace.”
Children and families
Idea Stores offer a range of activities for children and families, from weekly art clubs to daily Under 5s Story Time where rhymes, singing and stories keep the little ones happy.
For older children we have a Summer Reading Challenge every year as well as a special Winter Reading Challenge.
Why not learn a new skill?
Idea Stores offer a variety of courses for learning and career development, including online learning.
With more than 900 courses to choose from, there is something for everyone from photography, languages, art and design, dance, ESOL, maths to fashion and cookery.
The Idea Stores can help you to:
- learning a language
- getting to grips with new technology
- developing your hobbies such as photography and arts and crafts.
More information about the courses available at the Idea Store can be found on the Idea Stores website.
Your nearest Idea Store
There are currently seven Idea Stores across Tower Hamlets:
Idea Store Watney Market is currently closed and is being used by the NHS as a vaccination centre.
Visit the website for your local Idea Store to check on opening times and what's on near you.