CSC in Libraries

Libraries make excellent settings for community chess clubs. They can provide much needed space for both children and adults of all backgrounds to learn and enjoy an intellectual pursuit. At the same time, the club can attract visitors to the library who might not otherwise make use of their services.

CSC has supported several hundred libraries around the country in establishing community chess clubs. Many of these appear on our Library Directory (see below). We tend to help libraries in several ways:

  • Providing free chess sets and other equipment

  • Training volunteers to run chess sessions

  • Offering free access to our curriculum and other learning resources

  • Supplying a tutor to run library chess sessions (subject to local funding)

Clubs in libraries typically last two hours and are suitable for players of all abilities, including complete beginners. All CSC clubs are free are the point of delivery.

If you work for a library and would like to start a library chess club, please complete our form located here. If you are a library user and would like to see chess offered at your local library then please contact them directly and point them towards this page on our website. If you have any questions about chess in libraries please contact our Libraries Coordinator, Dan Staples - dan@chessinschools.co.uk.

Library Directory

Below are useful contact details for libraries with their own chess clubs. Many of these have been supported with sets, equipment, and volunteers from CSC. Please note: all CSC-supported library chess clubs are free of charge. While every effort is made to keep this information up to date, we recommending contacting the library before attending to confirm the club is still taking place at the stated time

  • Battersea Library - Children's Chess Club
    Saturdays, 13:00 - 14:30
    265 Lavender Hill, London SW11 1JB
    For further information, please call 020 7223 2334

    Battersea Park Library
    Tuesdays, 15:30 - 17:00
    Contact: Paul Stokes - paul.stokes858@btinternet.com

    Becton Globe Library
    Tuesdays, 15:45 - 17:15
    1 Kingsford Way, London E6 5JQ
    Contact: russtaylor555@aol.com

    Carnegie Library
    Saturdays, 14:00 - 16:30
    188 Herne Hill Road, London SE24 0AG
    0207 9266050

    Church Street Library
    Thursdays, 16:00 - 17:00
    67 Church Street, London, NW8 8EU
    Telephone: 020 7641 1220
    Email: churchstreetlibrary@westminster.gov.uk

    Edmonton Green Library Club
    36-44 South Mall, N9 0TN
    All levels welcome, Thursdays 3pm-4.30pm
    To contact the library 020 3833 0873

    Enfield Town Library
    Enfield Town Library, 66 Church Street, Enfield EN2 6AX
    Fortnightly on Saturdays - 2-3pm (for ages 7-12) and 3-4pm (for ages 13-17)
    Limited spaces available so please speak to a member of staff or call 0208 379 8341 to reserve a place.

    Green Street Library
    Wednesdays, 17:30 - 19:30
    337-341 Green Street, Upton Park, London E13 9AR
    Tel: 020 3373 0857

    Higham Hill Library
    Fridays, 15:30 - 17:00 (term time)
    North Countess Rd, London, E17 5HS

    Kensal Rise Library
    Wednesdays, 19:00 - 21:00 (starting from May 15, 2024)
    Bathurst Gardens, London NW10 5EU

    Keats Community Library
    Every fortnight on Saturdays
    Ages 6-12: 12:00 - 13:00 (advanced beginners)
    Ages 6-12: 13:00 - 14:00 (beginners)
    10 Keats Grove, NW3 2RN
    Tel: 0207 431 1266
    Email: keatscommunitylibrary@gmail.com
    Website: keatscommunitylibrary.org.uk

    Kenton Library
    First weekend of the month, 14:30 - 15:30
    Kenton Lane, HA3 8UJ
    Contact: Manoharan Dilukshan - manoharan.dilukshan@harrowchessclub.org.uk

    Newham - East Ham Library - Mondays & Thursdays 5.30-7.30pm

    Newham - Gate Library -
    Tuesdays 5.30-7.30pm.

    North Harrow Library
    Pinner Road, HA1 4HN
    Contact: Nevil Chan - nevil@harrowchessclub.org.uk

    Paddington Library
    Sundays - 12pm to 3pm (all ages welcome)
    Porchester Road, London W2 5DU
    Tel: 020 7641 4490
    Email: ptraldi@westminster.gov.uk

    Pancras Square Library
    Wednesdays, 17:15 - 18:45 (Starts March 17, 2023)
    Pancras Square, London, N1C 4AG

    Pimlico Library Chess Club
    Fridays, 17:00 - 18:00 (Children only)
    Lupus Street, London, SW1V 3AT
    Contact: Kennan Kesterson - kennanakirak@gmail.com

    Ponders End Library, Enfield
    198-200 High St
    EN3 4EZ
    Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:30pm

    Primrose Hill Community Library Sharpleshall Street NW1 8YN
    Contact: Alan Bruce - 07830107477

    Stratford Library Chess Club
    The Grove, E15 1EL
    Thursdays, 5.30-7.30pm
    All levels of ability welcome - No booking necessary
    Contact: John Illingworth

    Streatham Library
    Tuesdays, 16:30 - 19:30 (5.00-7.30 until June 21, 2016)
    Contact: Richard Tillett - tillett.richard@gmail.com

    Stanmore Community Library
    Tuesdays - 3pm to 5.30pm
    Intergenerational - open to all ages and abilities.
    Point of contact - John Ryan Johnryan649@hotmail.com

    Victoria Library
    Wednesdays, 17:00 - 18:30
    160 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9UD
    Contact: Imaan J. Williams - nwht@talktalk.net
    Mob: 07505174522

    York Gardens Library - Junior Chess Club
    Fridays, 15:45 - 17:00
    34 Lavender Road, London, SW11 2UG
    Tel: 020 8871 7471

  • Moor Allerton Community Hub and Library
    King Lane, Leeds, LS17 5NY
    The club meets fortnightly on Wednesdays from 3.30 – 5pm (term- time only)
    Phone: 0113 3781881
    Email: Madeleine.wood@leeds.gov.uk

    Newcastle City Library
    Saturdays, 12:00 - 14:00
    33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AX
    'Chess for All' Club

    Hartlepool Library
    Last Saturday of every month, 10:30 - 11:30
    Community Hub South, Wynyard Road, Hartlepool, TS25 3LQ

    North Harrow Library
    Ordnance Road Library, Enfield

    Richmond Relaxed Chess Club
    Thursday evenings
    Castle Tavern, 3 Market Place, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4HU
    Contact: milestempletonboxing@gmail.com

    Wibsey Library
    Thursdays, 17:00 - 18:30
    North Road, BD6 1TR
    Contact: David Bar - davidbar@blueyonder.co.uk

    York Explore Library
    Sundays, 14:00 - 15:15 (Juniors)
    Library Square, Museum St, York YO1 7DS
    Contact: Tom Rampling - thomasrampling03@gmail.com)

    Tang Hall Explore
    Second Saturday of every month (Intergenerational): 10:00 - 12:00
    Tang Hall Explore | The Centre @ Burnholme | Mossdale Avenue  | York YO31 0HA
    Contact: Amy Redhead - Amy.Redhead@exploreyork.org.uk
    Run by: Dan Staples
    dan@chessinschools.co.uk

    Harrogate Library
    Victoria Avenue, Harrogate
    HG1 1EG
    Contact: jane.trigoso@northyorks.gov.uk

  • Billingham Library
    Saturdays, 10:00 - 12:00
    Kingsway, Billingham TS23 2LN
    Tel: 01642 528084

    Blaydon Library
    Thursdays, 17:00
    Wesley Court, Gateshead, NE21 5BT
    Contact: Lynne Corder - lynnecorder@gateshead.gov.uk
    Tel: 0191 4336201

    Bolton (Thornton)
    Wednesdays, 17:00 - 18:30
    Thornton Community Centre, Market Street, Thornton, BD13 3HW
    Contact: David Bar - davidbar@blueyonder.co.uk

    Wigan Library Chess Club
    Saturdays, 10:00 - 13:00
    Wigan Library, entrance via Hewlett Street, WN1 1NH
    Email: wigan.library@wigan.gov.uk
    Tel: 01942 827621

    Golborne Library
    Fridays, 15:00 - 17:00
    Tanners Lane, Golborne, Warrington, WA3 3AW
    Tel: 01942 777800

    Lancaster Library
    Market Square, Lancaster,
    Lancashire, LA1 1HY
    Tuesday afternoons anytime between 3pm-7pm (starts 27 Jan 2015)
    Saturdays after 12 noon, starting 31 Jan 2015 (starts 31 Jan 2015)
    Contact: Gary Hutchinson Lancaster.Library@lancashire.gov.uk

    Leigh Library
    Wednesdays, 13:30 - 15:30 (free drop-in session)
    Civic Square, Market Street, Leigh, Greater Manchester, WN7 1EB
    Tel: 01942 404404

    Thornton Community Centre
    The club runs on Wednesdays 5pm to 6:30pm. Contact: davidbar@blueyonder.co.uk
    Thornton Community Centre, Market Street, Thornton, BD13 3HW

    Ulverston Library, Cumbria
    The club runs on Tuesdays 3.15-4.15pm. Contact Peter Hanks - hanksy1@btinternet.com.
    Kings Road, Ulverston LA12 OBT

  • Crowthorne Library
    Thursdays, 15:30 - 16:30 (older persons)
    162 High Street, Crowthorne, RG45 7AT
    Contact: Jon Lloyd - 01344 454000

    Egham Library
    Saturdays, 10:30 - 12:00 (for juniors, ages 7-11)
    Egham Library, Egham
    Email: egham.library@surreycc.gov.uk

    Great Hollands Library
    (older person's chess club, but juniors welcome)
    Great Hollands Square, Bracknell RG12 8UX
    Tuesdays, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
    Contact Liam Ball at NINEHORN@gmail.com

    Heathfield Library
    First Saturday of every month, 10:30 - 11:30
    21 High Street, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 8LU
    Enquiries: 0345 6080196

    Isle of Wight - Cowes Library
    Tuesdays, 14:00 - 17:00
    First Saturday of the month, 10:00 - 15:00
    Beckford Road, Cowes, PO31 7SG
    Tel: 01983 293341

    Isle of Wight - Ryde Library Chess Club
    Wednesdays, 17:00 - 19:00
    101 George Street, Ryde, PO33 2JE
    Tel: 01983 823825

    Isle of Wight - Sandown Library Chess Club
    Thursdays, 14:30 - 17:00
    High Street, Sandown, PO36 8AF
    Tel: 01983 402748

    Isle of Wight - Ventnor Library Chess Club
    Wednesdays, 14:00 - 16:00
    High Street, Ventnor, PO38 1LZ
    Tel: 01983 852039

    Twickenham Library
    Thursdays, 15:30 - 17:45 (ages 7-16)
    Garfield Road, Twickenham, TW1 3JT
    For more information: Click Here

    Welwyn Garden City Library - Chess Attack Chess Club
    Wednesday evenings throughout the year, 5.30-6.30pm in the Children's Section.
    Contact: Michael Flatt mrflatt@gmx.com

  • Bournemouth Library Chess Club
    Saturdays, 10:00 - 12:00
    22 The Triangle, Bournemouth, BH2 5RQ
    Contact: eric.sachs@btinternet.com

  • Chapel-en-le-Frith (Derbyshire) - Rems Café
    Alternate Saturdays, 14:00 - 16:00
    29 Market Street, Chapel-En-Le-Frith, SK23 0HE
    Contact: Claire A White - claireawhite1@outlook.com
    Tel: 07403288146

    Kimberley  Library
    Main Street, Nottingham, NG16 2LY Will launch its chess club on March 1st and will run every first Saturday of the month, 10am-12pm.
    For all ages.
    Our volunteer is Dave Dunne.

    Glossop Library
    Fortnightly Wednesdays, 13:30 - 15:30 (Adults only)
    Talbot Road, Glossop, SK13 7DG
    Contact: David Fowler - djfpawnpusher@hotmail.com
    Tel: 01457 514654

    Nottingham (Wollaton Library)
    Thursdays, 16:30 - 18:00
    Bramcote Lane, Wollaton, Nottingham, NG8 2NA
    Contact: Joshua Passey - Tel: 0115 915 2809

    Stapleford Library and Learning Centre
    Church St, Nottingham, NG9 8GA
    e-mail: Stapleford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
    Tel: 01623 677200  
    Every second and fourth Thursday of the month, 1.30pm-5.30pm.
    This is for all ages and generally gets adults in the afternoon then children after school.
    Run by volunteers: Robert Willoughby and Dave Dunne.

  • Acock's Green Library
    Mondays, 16:00 - 17:30
    Shirley Road, Birmingham, B27 7XH
    Tel: 0121 464 1738
    Contact: Abby Murphy

    Atherstone Library
    Long Street, Atherstone, CV9 1AX
    Chess Club for Kids (Saturdays 10am-12pm) - for ages 8-15, free drop-in session
    Chess Club for Adults (Saturdays 10am-12pm) - for ages 16+, free drop-in session
    If you have any further questions, please call 0300 555 8171.

    Bleakhouse Library
    Term-time Wednesdays, 16:00 - 17:00
    Bleakhouse Road, Oldbury, Sandwell
    Contact: Riz Ahmed - ChessMateUk@gmail.com

    City Central Library Hanley
    Wednesdays at 2-4/5pm
    Contact - crosbyandrew187@gmail.com

    Coventry Central Library
    Mondays and Wednesdays, 14:00 - 16:00
    Smithford Way, Coventry, CV1 1FY
    Contact: Nigel Benton - 02476 832314
    Email: nigel.benton@coventry.gov.uk
    Or central.library@coventry.gov.uk

    Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library
    Thursdays, 15:30 - 16:30
    Earlsdon Avenue North, Earlsdon, Coventry, CV5 6FZ
    Contact: Jenny Danielson - jennymdanielson@gmail.com

    Leominster Library
    Exhibition Room, Thursdays, 15.30 onwards led by Kalvin Haley. 01568 750114 / 07709 0261206

    Nantwich Library
    The club runs every fortnight on Tuesday evenings between 5.30 - 6.30pm. Contact: Tom.Appleby@cheshireeast.gov.uk

    Thimblemill Library
    Wednesdays, 16:00 - 17:30
    Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, B67 5RJ
    Contact: Leroy Douglas - leroi.douglas@gmail.com

    Stoke-on-Trent Libraries Chess Club
    City Central Library - Wednesdays 14:00 - 16:00
    Tunstall Library - Fridays 14:00 - 16:30
    Kidsgrove Library - Saturdays 09:00 - 12:00
    Contact: Andrew Crosby - atcrosby@icloud.com
    Tel: 01782 787131

  • Abergavenny Library
    Saturdays, 10:00 - 12:00
    17 Baker Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5AT
    Tel: 01873 735980

    Chepstow Library
    Thursdays, 15:30 - 17:00
    High Street, Chepstow, NP16 5LH
    Tel: 01291 623 772

  • Aylsham Library
    First and third Wednesdays of the month, 10:00 - 12:00
    7 Hungate St, Aylsham, NR11 6AA
    Contact: Jonathan Reeve - 01263 733744
    Email: aylshamchessclub@gmail.com

    North Walsham Library
    Fridays, 16:15 - 18:00
    New Road, North Walsham, NR28 9DE
    Contact: Library enquiries - 01692 402482
    Email: north.walsham.lib@libraries.norfolk.gov.uk

    Sprowston Library
    Contact: Claire Sharland - claire.sharland@norfolk.gov.uk
    Tel: 07785 400032
    Recreation Ground Road, Norwich, NR7 8EW

    Grays Library
    Saturdays, 10:00 - 12:00 (first hour for youngsters only)
    Grays Library, Grays, Essex
    Contact: Andrew Offord - offord34@live.co.uk

    Heathfield Library
    First Saturday of every month, 10:30 - 11:30
    21 High Street, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 8LU
    Enquiries: 0345 6080196

    Rock Road Library
    69 Rock Road, Cambridge, CB1 7UG
    Point of contact: Aisha B abarakatullah@gmail.com