Join and use the library

On this page:

Why join?

Everyone can join the library and it's free.

Once you've joined you can:

Borrow books free of charge.
Hire DVDs.
Hire music on CD.
Borrow spoken word tapes and CDs – learn a language or listen to stories.
Use our 24 hour library for free.
Use computers free of charge for Internet, email, scanning and a variety of programs.

This is done on the LibrariesWest catalogue website.

You can reserve items from the catalogue straight away.
To borrow items and use the library computers, you will need to collect your membership card from a library, showing some proof of address.

Either print off the membership form (pdf, 251 KB) (opens new window) or fill in the form at any library.
If you are 15 or under you will need the signature of a parent or guardian.
Take the completed form into any library, along with proof of your address, and we will give you a library card straight away.
Or you can post it to the Central Library and we will send a library card back to you.

Visitor and no permanent address categories of membership have slightly different proof of address requirements. Please ask for details.

You will receive a library card when you join.
This can be used in any LibrariesWest library.
Please remember to bring your card with you when you visit the library.
You are responsible for items borrowed on your card, so tell us immediately if your card is lost or stolen.

If you would like to be reminded to renew an item or to collect a reserved item, we will need to contact you.

We send out 'pre-overdues'. This means you will get an email two days before your loans are due. We hope that these emails are helpful, but we advise you not to rely on them as the only way of reminding yourself about the due date of your borrowed items. If for some reason you do not receive the pre-overdue email notice you will still have to pay an overdue charge.
If you don't renew your loans we will also send you one email, text or automated phone call telling you that you have overdue items. There is a small administration charge for this.
If there are other library users waiting for the items you have out, you will be asked to return them as soon as possible.

To let you know that an item you have reserved is waiting for you we send you one of the following:

email.
text.
letter.
automated phone call.
Tell us which of these four ways is best for you and we will update your membership details. You can update your details online yourself or tell us next time you visit.
Please note - We do not send out overdue notices by post.

You can borrow items for the following lengths of time.

Books: 3 weeks.
Fastback books: 1 week.
Spoken word CDs and cassettes: 3 weeks.
CDs: 1 week.
Videos: 1 week.
DVDs: 1 week.
Sheet music: 3 weeks. NB cannot be issued on music group tickets.
Plays – one copy: 3 weeks (on either individual or drama group tickets).
Items borrowed from libraries outside of Bristol: May have different loan lengths.
Music sets: Up to 6 months (with a music group ticket).
Play sets: Up to 6 months (with a drama group ticket).
Console games: 1 week.

You can renew items online, by phone or in person.

You, may be able to borrow more items than you thought, from LibrariesWest.

May borrow a maximum of 20 items, which can include up to 8 DVDs, and 2 console games.
Pay hire charges for audio visual material.
Pay charges on all overdue items.

May borrow up to 4 items including 1 DVD and 1 CD (no console games).
Pay hire charges for audio visual material.
Pay charges on all overdue items.
A slightly wider range of proof of address applies to this category of membership. Ask for details.

May borrow 4 items (not DVDs, CDs or console games).
Pay charges on all overdue items.
A narrower range of proof of address applies to this category of membership. Ask for details.

May borrow a maximum of 20 items, which can include junior books, spoken word cassettes, spoken word CDs, videos and up to 8 DVDs.
Pay hire charges for videos and DVDs (including repeat hire charges for videos and DVDs)
Pay no overdue charges, although postage is charged for sending reminders.

May borrow a maximum of 20 items including junior and adult books and up to 8 DVDs and 2 console games.
Pay no overdue charges although postage is charged for sending reminders.
Pay hire charges (including repeat hire charges for audio/visual material returned late).

May borrow a maximum of 20 items including 8 DVDs and 2 console games.
Pay no overdue charges although postage is charged for sending reminders.
Pay hire charges (including repeat hire charges for audio/visual material returned late).

Group memberships are available to various groups and organisations, usually drama or music groups. Different loan periods and charges apply.

There is an annual subscription fee (see charges).
One member has to agree to be responsible for all borrowed items and must complete an 'Institutional' membership form.
This person will be issued with a computer ticket for the group.

There is no charge for membership, however there is a reservation charge for borrowing sets.
One member has to agree to be responsible for all borrowed items and must complete an 'Institutional' membership form.
That person will be issued with four non-computerised tickets.