Borrowing items
Borrowing books
Our staff will be happy to help you find books. You can also check the online catalogue on any library computer with Internet access. For a small fee, you can request a book to be sent to a library of your choice.
A loan can be renewed up to 10 times, unless it has been reserved by another library member.
Borrowing DVDs and CDs
DVDs
Our hub libraries have DVDs of the latest:
- blockbusters
- children's and classic films
- music
- TV shows
- world cinema, Bollywood and Greek films
You can borrow up to 6 DVDs on an adult account, and 3 DVDs on a child's account. Age restrictions may apply to some items.
CDs
You can borrow up to 6 CDs per fortnight. The below music is available to borrow on CD:
- blues
- chart and popular pop
- classical
- country
- easy listening
- jazz
- musicals
- world music (including African, Albanian, Asian, Brazilian, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Turkish)
| Item | Loan period |
|---|---|
Books | 3 weeks |
CDs | 2 weeks |
DVDs | 1 week |
Overdue items
You have to pay a charge for each day an item is overdue. These vary depending on the item. You can pay the charge on the online catalogue by logging into your account, in a hub library or in cash at some of the self-service machines.
There are reduced charges for children, teenagers, over 60s, the unemployed and people with disabilities. For items that are long overdue, additional charges will occur. For more information, see our fees and charges.
We can send email reminders if items are overdue. To request this service, speak to your local hub library. You will need to provide them with your email address. If you are signed up to this service but are not receiving emails, you should check your junk mail.
It is your responsibility to ensure you return your borrowed items on time. You can ask a member of staff for a receipt to show the date your items are due back, or keep track via the online catalogue. You can also print a receipt at a self-service machine.
Special collections
Community language books
Our libraries have a selection of books and DVDs in various languages. There are also collections of dual language books for children in some libraries. You should ask your local library which languages they stock.
Dyslexia friendly books
Barrington Stoke books are dyslexia-friendly publications which are available in all libraries. If you cannot find them, staff are on hand to help.
Returning and renewing items
Returning library loans
We provide a wide range of books, CDs and DVDs to borrow and enjoy. We ask in return that you take care of items you have borrowed and return them by the date they are due so others can enjoy them as well. Where items are returned late, fines and charges will apply.
If you think you might forget when your book is due, you can set up an email reminder. This will notify you 2 days before your items are due. You can also renew your loans online.
Owing money on your account
If you owe more than £10 on your account you will have 14 days to pay this amount off. If after 14 days you still owe more than £10 you will be referred to our Unique Management Services and you will have to pay a £10 administration fee.
Payments
You can make payments or set up payment plans in person at any of the following libraries:
- Edmonton Green
- Enfield Town
- Fore Street
- Oakwood
- Ordnance Unity Centre
- Palmers Green
Library addresses and opening hours.
Card payments can also be taken over the phone at the above libraries. Remember to have your library card and payment details with you before phoning.
You can now also pay via our online catalogue by logging into your account and accessing your charges.
Renewing library loans
You can renew items:
- via our 24-hour online catalogue
- via our 24-hour renewal line 0333 370 4700 (you'll need to quote your library membership card number)
- in person at any of our libraries
- by telephone during library opening hours
We charge for late items. If there was a charge to borrow your item, you need to pay the same charge again when renewing it.
If your books are already overdue when you renew them, any overdue charges will also be payable upon renewal.
If there is a request for the item you have on loan, you cannot renew or extend its loan.