Merlin Library

Merlin Library is the bookshop that many Maltese families think of first when a school year begins, and its Blata l-Bajda shop in Hamrun is the one with fully published opening hours. It sits just outside Valletta, which makes it an easy stop for anyone staying in the capital who wants something to read or a gift for a child.

It is one of the long-established names among the bookshops in Malta in our directory, and it combines a physical shop with a large online catalogue.

Who runs it and how long it has been going

The shop belongs to Audio Visual Centre Ltd, a Maltese company that began importing and distributing books in 1971. Alongside its retail outlets it supplies schools, academies, colleges and universities with books, audio visual equipment, interactive solutions and classroom furniture, and it works with the island's English language schools.

Merlin Library itself has been supplying primary, secondary and sixth form textbooks since 1978. It also set a precedent in Maltese schools by inviting children's authors to speak to pupils, starting with Lynne Reid Banks in 2003.

The range on the shelves

Children's books are the speciality: thousands of titles for readers from babies to teenagers, covering picture books, activity books, early learning material, poetry and annuals. The shop also carries general fiction and non-fiction for adults, including travel writing, biography, history, cookery and popular science, plus English language teaching titles and dictionaries.

What sets this shop apart is its textbook service. It is the only bookshop in Malta that stocks textbooks all year round, and a good selection of revision and self-study material is kept for most subjects. Book covering is offered, and stationery runs from copybooks and pens to art supplies and school essentials.

Offers, delivery and the Wizzies Club

The online shop shows prices in euros and has promoted 10% off stationery, up to 17% off textbooks, 10% off book covering and a price match guarantee on textbooks. Orders over €25 are delivered free across Malta and Gozo, and in-store pickup is available if you would rather collect. Offers change, so confirm what applies when you order.

Children who join the Wizzies Club receive special discounts at the shop, which is worth knowing if you are staying for a few months and a young reader in the family goes through books quickly.

Finding the shop and planning around it

Blata l-Bajda is in the Hamrun area, a short drive from the capital. Visitors can read our Valletta guide or compare hotels in Valletta before heading out, and fit a stop in before the harbour or the Knights of Malta history sights in the capital. Families who plan to stay longer will find the relocating to Malta guide useful for schooling and settling in.

For gifts, a book can be paired with flowers from Alistair Floral Design, and language learners may like the nearby school listing for AM Language.

Why a Maltese bookshop is worth a visit

A bookshop shows you what local readers and pupils actually use. Browsing the English language teaching shelves, the Maltese titles and the school lists tells you a good deal about island life, and it is a gentler introduction than a museum. The long opening hours on weekdays leave room for a visit before or after a day in the city, and the Saturday morning opening suits weekend trips.

Staff can help with specific titles, so bring a note of an author, an ISBN or a school year when you ask. The shop also keeps a range of bargain books and gift ideas, useful for presents to take home.

Getting in touch

If you want to check that a title is in stock, ask about a textbook order or find out how collection works, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the business. You can also look at Agenda Bookshop if you want a second independent seller to compare.