Membership-joining

Information about how to join your library and your library membership

Do I have to join a library to use it?

You can use your library for information enquiries or to use the books on the shelves, without having to join. To make the most of what your library has to offer, however, you need a library card. It's free of charge, and with it you can:

• Use the computers and Internet in the library
• Borrow books, CDs, DVDs
• Online: check what you have on loan; renew your loans and place reservations

You can use your membership card in any public library in Solihull.

How do I join the library?

Joining the library is easy, membership is free and you can use your library card in any Solihull Library to borrow books, DVDs, CDs, talking books or use the internet.

Membership is open to all ages - this includes children of all ages, babies need books too! If you are under 13 years your parent or guardian will need to sign for you to join the library.

You can join by calling in at any Solihull library.

You can search the online Catalogue at any time to see what your library has available.

At your local library

Call in to any library, complete a form and show one form of identification that shows your name, address and signature. If you are unsure of what identification you need, library staff will be happy to advise you.

If you are under 13 a parent or guardian must sign the form and act as guarantor before you can borrow any items.

Suitable ID documents

Some of the ID documents that can be used are:

• your driving licence
• your council tax payment form
• your rent book
• your medical card
• a recent bill with your address from a utility provider such as a telephone or gas company

All documents must have your name and address and signature

Under-13s

There is no minimum age for children to join the library. We don't need proof of address, if you are under 13 but a parent or guardian must sign the form and act as guarantor before you can borrow any items. To use library Internet computers, people under 16 must also have the consent of their parent or guardian to use the computers; the consent must be given on our official form

Borrowing

At Solihull Libraries borrowing, renewing and reserving books could not be simpler! Adults and teenagers can borrow up to 12 books, 6 CDs and 6 DVDs at any one time. Books and language courses can be borrowed for four weeks, all other items are loaned for a period of two weeks (DVDs and CDs incur a small charge). Children (under - 13s) can borrow up to 8 books, 4 CDs and 6 Children's DVDs.

If you have not finished with your loans by their due date, you may be able to extend them for a further period, unless they have been requested by another customer. You can do this in the library, by phone or online using our online library catalogue.

You can borrow items from any library in Solihull and return items to any library. You can also use the mobile library service.

Contact Details

For details of individual libraries - see Your Local Library

For details of library charges - see  Library Charges

For further information contact libraryarts@solihull.gov.uk

 

Bag Yourself a Bargain at the Library

You can now purchase reusable bags from any Solihull library. These bags are made from strong jute material with bound edges and have a long shoulder strap for easy carrying. With their attractive design these bags are selling at just £2.50 each.