Libraries and Story Time for Kids in Cyprus: Children's Sections, Membership and Activities by City

Most municipalities in Cyprus run a public library, and the best ones for children have a dedicated children's section with books and space to sit, read and play. Joining costs little where a fee applies, but each library sets its own rules, and most collections and events are in Greek. Below we go city by city, with the hours, membership rules and activities as published in November 2026.

Libraries are a gift for new arrivals: they are calm, free to visit, and a good way for children to start picking up Greek through picture books. They are also handy on a hot or rainy afternoon, as long as you check the hours, because most open only on weekdays.

How do public libraries work in Cyprus?

Municipal libraries belong to each local authority, as the government libraries portal explains, so hours, fees and borrowing rules differ from town to town. There is no single library card for the whole island. In practice:

• Visiting is usually free and open to everyone, although some libraries ask adults to show ID at the door.
• Borrowing needs membership. Some libraries accept anyone; others lend only to residents of the town or to Cypriot citizens and permanent residents.
• Children's sections are found in several of the larger libraries, with books mostly in Greek.
• Events for children, such as author visits and book days, are announced by each library or municipality.

Which libraries have children's sections in Nicosia?

Strovolos Municipal Library

At 34 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, Strovolos Municipal Library is the most family-friendly lending library in the capital, and it is one of the few open on a Saturday morning. Its children's section has small tables and chairs where children read, draw and play board games. Anyone aged 6 or over can become a member; adults register with ID, and cards last two years. Members borrow up to three books for 21 days, with one renewal. The library holds about 30,000 books, and its children's programme includes "Literature mornings", when Years 5 and 6 from local primary schools meet Cypriot children's authors, plus events for occasions such as International Children's Book Day. Call 22 311534 or email library@strovolos.org.cy.

Achilleios Municipal Library

The Achilleios Library at Konstantinou Palaiologou 30, run by Nicosia Municipality, has a children's library with books and educational toys. It is a reference library, not a lending library, so everything stays on site, and visitors must show an identity card or other official ID to enter. It opens Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 15:00 and closes for the whole of August and on public holidays.

Other municipal libraries around Nicosia

The libraries portal also lists municipal libraries in Agios Dometios (22392000), Aglantzia (22462233), Engomi (22453800), Lakatamia (22364075), Latsia (22878602), Geri, Idalion and Tseri. Ring the one nearest you to ask whether it has a children's corner and how to join.

What about Limassol?

The Municipal University Library, at Karaiskaki and Agiou Andreou 269 in the centre, is run by Limassol Municipality with the Cyprus University of Technology. It holds about 60,000 volumes, one of the largest collections on the island, and the municipality describes its children's department as "remarkable". It opens Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00.

Its rules are worth knowing before you go:

The children's department is open to children together with the adults accompanying them, and schools or groups can arrange educational programmes in advance. Call 25 362155 or 25 002211, or email mulibrary@cut.ac.cy.

The libraries portal also lists municipal libraries in Agios Athanasios (25724035), Kato Polemidia (25821382) and Mesa Geitonia (25724183).

What about Larnaca?

The portal lists the Larnaca Municipal Library at the corner of Leonida Kioupi and Grigori Afxentiou streets (24654185), and municipal libraries in Aradippou (24333605), Athienou (24811460) and Livadia (24633388). Their children's sections and hours are not published online, so phone before you go and ask about children's membership and any holiday activities.

What about Paphos?

Paphos Municipal Library is on 28th October Square, by the town hall. The municipality describes it as a lending library with an online catalogue; it opens on weekdays from 07:30 to 15:00 and is closed at weekends and on public holidays. It does not publish details of a children's section, so ask at the desk. The portal also lists the Petrideios library in Geroskipou (26961430) and a municipal library in Pegeia (26621113).

What about the Famagusta district?

Deryneia Municipal Library has a large collection of children's books and welcomes children and adults from Deryneia and the surrounding area. It opens in the afternoons, Tuesday to Friday, from 16:00 to 19:00 between October and April and later in the summer. Adults pay €20 a year; pupils and students are exempt. Members borrow up to three books for 21 days, with one renewal if nobody else has asked for the book. The library hosts author visits, book exhibitions and children's programmes; call 23811462 during opening hours.

The portal also lists a municipal library in Ayia Napa, at 14 Kryou Nerou Avenue (23816366).

Where can children hear stories read aloud?

There is no regular English-language story time at a public library in Cyprus (November 2026). These are the options:

• Theatro Ena, Nicosia: this season the theatre hosts free storytelling for children in its foyer on two Sunday mornings a month at 11:00, with well-known public figures reading, in Greek. Children come with an adult, and you book by phone on 22 348203.
• Fairytale Museum, old Nicosia: the museum at Granikou 32 arranges storytelling and lets children make up their own tales. It opens on Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00, and entry is €5.
• Library events: Strovolos marks International Children's Book Day each spring, and Deryneia and the University of Cyprus children's department run occasional children's programmes. Follow your local library's announcements.

If you would like an English story session, it is worth asking your library whether it would host one run by parents.

Tips for library visits with children

• Take ID for every adult, even just to visit; Achilleios asks for it at the door.
• Check the day. Most libraries open on weekdays only, often closing in mid-afternoon, and some close in August.
• Ask about English books. Libraries do not publish a language breakdown, so ask what they hold in English and other languages.
• Use bilingual reading. Greek picture books with simple text are a fun way for children and parents to learn Greek together.
• Bring a tote bag and note the return date: late fees are small but add up.

What to do next

1. Find the municipal library nearest your home on the libraries portal and phone to ask about children's membership.
2. Take ID, and proof of address for Limassol, when you go to register.
3. For more indoor ideas, see our rainy day activities with kids in Cyprus, after-school activities and clubs and arts, crafts and pottery workshops for kids.