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)
Computer games
Check the online catalogue to see what computer games we have. You can borrow up to 2 games per fortnight.
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 leaflet (PDF, 69.36 KB).
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.
Barrington Stoke 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.