Concessionary library card

If you find visiting or using a library difficult because of a disability, you can ask for a concessionary library card. This means that you can have some extra library services free of charge. The difficulty could be because you have:

• visual impairments
• deafness or you are hard of hearing
• learning difficulties
• other disabilities such as mental health or a heart condition
• print disabilities such as dyslexia

or because you are housebound or a full time carer of disabled adults or children. You can also have a concessionary library card if you are an Adult Literacy student, including studying English as a Second Language.

To apply for concessionary membership, ask in the library, phone or, if you are not already a library member, you can join online. Joining is free, quick and easy - follow the link on this page to "Joining and using the library".

Fines and charges
There are no charges for:

• talking books on tape or CD
• language courses
• standard rate CDs
• standard rate DVDs and videos
• sub-titled videos for deaf and hard of hearing people
• audio described videos for visually impaired people
• requests for books, music, DVDs and videos.

Normal hire charges apply for premium rate DVDs, videos and CDs. You can borrow books and music for three weeks and DVDs and videos for one week.

Returning items
When books and music are overdue for one week there is no charge. If overdue for more than one week you will be charged a reduced fine. The normal charges apply for DVDs and videos that are overdue. If you have a problem getting to the library by the date when items should be returned, you can renew them as long as someone else has not requested them. For details of the ways in which you can renew your books, follow the link to Library renewals on this page.

You may not be able to visit the library or renew your loans in time due to personal circumstances. If this is the case, please contact your local library as soon as possible and explain the situation.

Home Library Service
If you are unable to visit a library in person you can apply for the Home Library Service - follow the link on this page for more information.