Ratby Library & Community Group

Our Latest News : We are open Tuesday and Thursday between 2 and 4pm and Wednesday and Saturday between 10am and midday.

The cafe is now open for takeaway hot and cold drinks, please abide by social distancing measures; wear a face mask and sanitize your hands on entry we look forward to seeing you.

How do I renew my books and other items?

You can renew your loans online if you wish on the Leicestershire County Council website. Can I still put a hold on/ request any library items? No, as not all functionality is working some libraries are closed we cannot access the stock as easily as before so unfortunately not all requests will be processed until libraries reopen properly. How do I collect an item I have already put a hold on? Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide access to some items that customers have already put on hold.

Audiobooks are still available.

E-books, E-audiobooks, E-magazines and E-newspapers.

Leicestershire libraries offer a wide range of resources available to download onto your smartphone, Mac, PC, laptop, tablet or e-reader. Please go to our website to get more information on how to use this servicewww.leicestershire.gov.uk/libraries

Our Beginning

How we founded the community library for our village

We started life as the Ratby Library Group, formed in September 2014 when it became apparent that cuts in expenditure, forced upon Leicestershire County Council by the Government through swingeing cuts to its local government grant, meant some uncomfortable choices were having to be considered. With libraries being considered a ‘soft’ target compared to more critical front-line services, a group was formed to examine options that would keep our library ‘alive’. A 10-year lease on the property is owned by the Ratby Library & Community Group, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered with the Charity Commission (Reg. No. 1164252) and we aim to ensure it remains community managed and operated.

We do hope the residents of Ratby and surrounding areas come and visit the cafe and library as doing so supports us. Over 70% of those who responded to our questionnaire felt that the community library project was worthy of support so that we can have, and develop further into the future, this important village amenity. We look forward to seeing you all soon!