Library closures
Due to staff shortages, some of our libraries will be partially or fully closed at short notice – see the closures page for more information. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Borrowing and charges
What you can borrow
Library members can borrow free of charge:
- books
- eBooks
- eAudiobooks
- language courses
For a small charge, members can also borrow:
- CDs
- audiobooks
- DVDs
How many items you can borrow
Library members can borrow up to 25 items.
Adults can borrow up to:
- 12 books
- 8 audiobooks and CDs
- 2 language courses
- 4 DVDs
Children can borrow up to:
- 15 books
- 10 audiobooks
- 2 language courses
How long you can keep items
You can keep the following items for 3 weeks:
- books
- audiobooks
- CDs
Language courses can be borrowed for 6 weeks.
DVDs and Blu-rays can be borrowed for 1 week.
You may be able to renew an item.
Charges
You will pay concessionary rates if you are any of the following:
- aged 16 to 24
- aged over 65
- getting certain benefits and financial support, like:
- Job Seekers Allowance, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit
- Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or other confirmation of long-standing disability
| Standard adult membership | Concessionary membership | Under 16s membership | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserving items available in our catalogue | Free | Free | Free |
| Reserving items requested to order – items not available in our catalogue | £3.50 | £1.75 | Free |
The reservation charge is an administrative charge you pay when you make your reservation. We do not a guarantee an item can be supplied. We aim to supply most items but, if it's not possible, we'll let you know.
| Standard adult membership | Concessionary membership | Under 16s memberships | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music CDs hire charge per item | £1 | 50p | Unavailable |
| DVDs or Blu-ray blockbuster (new release) | £3.50 | £1.75 | Unavailable |
| DVD or Blu-ray feature film, TV series and documentaries | £2 | £1 | Unavailable |
| Multi-DVD set (items with 3 or more discs) | £2.50 | £1.25 | Unavailable |
| Audiobooks (spoken word) | £1 | 50p but free for over 65s | Free |
| Standard adult membership | Concessionary membership | Under 16s memberships | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly subscription | £25 | £12.50 | Unavailable |
| 3-month subscription | £7.50 | £3.75 | Unavailable |
Our audio-visual subscription means you pay a flat fee and do not pay borrowing charges for audio-visual items.
| Standard adult membership | Concessionary membership | Under 16s memberships | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overdue items (except DVDs/Blu-Rays) | 40p per item per day | 20p per item per day | Free |
| Most you can be charged for overdue items (except DVDs/Blu-rays) | £9.60 | £4.80 | Free |
| Overdue DVDs/Blu-rays | If DVDs and Blu-rays are not returned on time, you pay the borrowing fee again for each week they're not returned, up to the most you can be charged. | If DVDs and Blu-rays are not returned on time, you pay the borrowing fee again for each week they're not returned, up to the most you can be charged. | Unavailable |
| The most you will be charged for overdue DVD or Blu-ray blockbusters | £17.50 | £8.75 | Unavailable |
| The most you will be charged for overdue DVD or Blu-ray feature films, TV series and documentaries | £12 | £6 | Unavailable |
| The most you will be charged for overdue multi-DVD sets | £15 | £7.50 | Unavailable |
| Standard adult membership | Concessionary membership | Under 16 membership |
|---|---|---|
| £1.50 per replacement | 75p per replacement | 75p per replacement |
Lost and damaged items
If you lose or damage an item, we charge you the cost of replacing it. In the case of DVDs and Blu-rays, this is the cost of the rental edition.
If the lost or damaged item is out of print or production, there are standard charges to a maximum of £10.
For reserve stock items, there is a fixed charge of £30 per item.
Small ads
To display a small ad on the library noticeboard, the charge is £4 per 3-week period.
Ads should be no bigger than A5 size.
Printing and photocopying
The cost for printing or photocopying in black and white is:
- 20p for A4
- 30p for A3
The cost for printing or photocopying in colour is:
- 50p for A4
- £1 for A3
Scan to email
The charge is 5p per side of paper to each email address.
Outstanding charges
Any unpaid charges of £10 or more will block your account. To start using your account again, you will need to clear the outstanding balance.