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Welcome to Idea Store

search the catalogue

Search the Catalogue, renew and reserve items

Log in to your Idea Store account and discover our range of books, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and more. You can renew your books and reserve items for collection.

You can also renew items using our automated phone line 0333 370 4700. Press option 5 then option 1. Enter your card number without the D.

Warm hubs

Warm Hubs

Warm Hubs are back!

We welcome you to come for a chat, have a hot drink and stay a while.

As the cold weather sets in and temperatures plummet, Tower Hamlets Council has set up a series of Warm Hubs for residents who may feel isolated or worried about heating their home due to rising costs.

Christmas Opening Hours

Find out when your local Idea Store is open this festive season!

Some locations will remain open over the Christmas break, offering you the chance to borrow a book, access our services and connect with others.

christmas opening hours
mum and child

Children and families

Looking for fun and engaging activities for your little ones? Check out our exciting lineup of events and resources that cater to the whole family.

From storytelling and arts and crafts to homework help and more, we've got something for everyone!

download the idea store app

Download the Idea Store app

Made just for Idea Store the app lets you:

  • access your membership account anytime, anywhere!
  • search the catalogue
  • renew your loans
  • place reservations
  • download eBooks and audiobooks
  • access our magazine and newspaper services
  • find out about in-store and online activities at the Idea Stores and libraries

Idea Store Learning

With more than 900 courses to choose from, there is something for everyone from photography, languages, art & design, dance, ESOL, maths to fashion and digital skills.

Our aim is to help you to achieve your full potential. Whatever your ambitions, we can work together to help you achieve it through our courses.

learning
hands holding tablet and mobile phone

eLibrary

With your Idea Store membership you can access thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines and newspapers for FREE.

map of shadwell

Local History Library and Archives

East End history at your fingertips. Access our huge digital library, collections and free online resources.

join idea store

Join today!

Join the Idea Store to borrow books, reserve items online and access our online resources such ebooks, audiobooks, online newspapers and magazines.

Tablet Lending Service

Residents of Tower Hamlets who are digitally excluded can borrow one of a limited number of tablet computers from Idea Store Whitechapel for up to 12 weeks in order to get online and improve their digital skills.

tablets