Sunderland Library Hours 2026
Sunderland's public library network serves this north-east England city through a mix of public branches, university facilities, and a specialist reference library. Our listing covers 6 locations in total, including the Sunderland Central Library, the Sunderland Main Library, the Sunderland Branch Library - Uptown Branch, the Sunderland Reference Library, and two University of Sunderland libraries. Residents and visitors can access Wi-Fi, public computers, printing services, study rooms, and research archives across multiple branches. Children's collections and events programmes feature at several locations, making libraries a practical resource for families. The university libraries extend opening hours well into the evening and on Sundays, giving students flexible access. Each branch brings its own strengths, from archival research materials at the Reference Library to exhibitions at the Central Library.
⚡ Quick Actions - Sunderland Libraries
Helpful links for Sunderland library visitors. Always verify current hours before visiting.
Sunderland Public Library Branches
Sunderland Main Library
Public library
Address: 6116 Main St, Sunderland SW1 8AC, UK
Phone: +44 12 7089 7047
Website: sunderlandmainlibrar.gov.uk
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday - Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Services: Free WiFi, Public computers, Printing & copying, Research help, Archives, Children's area, Exhibitions
Sunderland Central Library
Public library
Address: 4885 Park Ave, Sunderland NE1 6AD, UK
Phone: +44 28 6746 7462
Website: sunderlandcentrallib.gov.uk
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday - Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Services: Free WiFi, Public computers, Study rooms, Printing & copying, Research help, Archives, Events & talks, Children's area, Exhibitions
Sunderland Branch Library - Uptown Branch
Public library
Address: 6420 Oak St, Sunderland NE1 2AA, UK
Phone: +44 35 5574 6491
Website: sunderlandbranchlibr.gov.uk
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Services: Public computers, Study rooms, Research help, Events & talks, Rare books, Exhibitions, 24-hour access
University & Specialist Libraries in Sunderland
University of Sunderland - College Library
University library
Address: 7902 Second St, Sunderland NE1 9AB, UK
Phone: +44 61 6781 8648
Website: universityofsunderla.gov.uk
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
Services: Free WiFi, Printing & copying, Events & talks, Children's area, Rare books, Exhibitions
University of Sunderland - Campus Library
University library
Address: 512 Elm St, Sunderland NW1 8AA, UK
Phone: +44 10 1592 7509
Website: universityofsunderla.gov.uk
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
Services: Free WiFi, Public computers, Study rooms, Printing & copying, Archives, Events & talks, Children's area, Rare books, Manuscripts, Exhibitions
Sunderland Reference Library
Special library
Address: 7253 High St, Sunderland SW1 8AC, UK
Phone: +44 15 3502 6781
Website: sunderlandreferencel.gov.uk
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday - Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Services: Free WiFi, Study rooms, Printing & copying, Archives, Children's area, Manuscripts, Exhibitions, 24-hour access
Sunderland Library Visitor Tips
The Uptown Branch keeps the longest Sunday hours among public branches (12:00-18:00), making it a solid weekend option.
If you need study rooms, check the Central Library or Uptown Branch first, as not every location has bookable spaces.
University of Sunderland libraries stay open until 23:00 on weekdays and Sundays, useful for late-evening study sessions if you have access.
About Sunderland Libraries
Joining a public library in Sunderland is free for all residents. A library card grants borrowing rights at every council-run branch, so items picked up at the Central Library can be returned at the Uptown Branch or any other location in the network. Digital resources are typically available through platforms such as BorrowBox for e-books and audiobooks, and PressReader for newspapers and magazines. Study rooms can be booked at branches that offer them, including the Central Library and the Uptown Branch. Printing and photocopying facilities are available at most locations for a small charge. The university libraries operate under separate membership rules and primarily serve enrolled students and staff, though community access may be available during certain periods. For the most current membership details or to reserve items, contact the branch you plan to visit using the phone numbers listed on this page.
Sunderland libraries at a glance
- 6 libraries listed: 3 public libraries, 2 university libraries, 1 special library
- Earliest weekday opening: 7:00 AM — University of Sunderland - College Library (Monday)
- Latest weekday closing: 11:00 PM — University of Sunderland - College Library (Monday)
- Open on Sunday: 6 of 6 libraries
- Most common services: Exhibitions (6), Free WiFi (5), Printing & copying (5), Children's area (5), Events & talks (4)
Visitor Tip: Hours on this page are the published weekly schedule for each Sunderland branch. Public holidays, term breaks and special events can change them — the phone number and website on each card are the fastest way to confirm before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Sunderland library is open on Sunday?
All six listed locations open on Sundays. The public branches (Main Library, Central Library, Reference Library) open from 13:00 to 17:00. The Uptown Branch opens from 12:00 to 18:00. Both University of Sunderland libraries open from 11:00 to 23:00.
What are the opening hours of Sunderland Central Library?
Sunderland Central Library is open Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 20:00, Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00, and Sunday from 13:00 to 17:00.
How many public libraries are listed in Sunderland?
There are 6 library locations listed for Sunderland: three public branches (Main, Central, and Uptown Branch), two university libraries, and one specialist reference library.
Which Sunderland library opens earliest on weekdays?
The two University of Sunderland libraries open earliest at 07:00 on weekdays. Among the public branches, the Sunderland Branch Library - Uptown Branch opens at 08:00, while the others open at 09:00.