All about loans, renewals and reservations

Last updated: 08/04/2013 Add to My Bookmarks Subscribe

Loan entitlement

As a library member you may borrow up to 18 items including books, talking books, CDs and DVDs. Computer games are also available from selected libraries.

• Books are issued free for three weeks after which an overdue charge* applies at the current rate. They may be returned to any branch library.
• A hire charge* applies to all other items at the current rate.
  *See library fees and charges for details.

 If you are going on holiday, ask for your books to be issued for longer than usual to avoid worrying about getting them back on time.

Renewing

You don't have to visit a library, you may renew your items by:

• Use our online library system to renew your items - go to your library account and enter your library card number.
• using the 24 hour phone renewals hotline - 0845 607 6119 (calls charged at local rate)

Providing we have your current email address, a reminder notice will be emailed to you two days before items are due back to prompt you to renew or return them.

You can renew books up to five times before we need to see them. If you still require the books you must bring them to the library for re-issuing. Books that have been reserved by another member will only be renewed for an additional week.

Non-book items that you have hired from the library are not renewable. If you require them for longer than the hire period an additional charge, at the weekly rate, will be levied for each week (or part week) that you keep them.

Placing a reservation

You can reserve items through the online catalogue or when you visit a library. If you reserve an item online, you will need to login to your online library account using your library card number.

Please see library fees and charges for details of applicable charges. When your reservation arrives, you will be notified by automated telephone message, email or post.

Inter-library loans

If the book that you wish to borrow is not available on our online catalogue, we are happy to consider purchasing it for stock.  If it is not in print or we choose not to add it to our collection, it may be borrowed through inter-library loan on payment of a small fee (see library fees and charges for details).  Copies of Journal articles may also be requested in this way and the copy would be yours to keep. Please ask a member of staff.

Public computers

All our libraries have computers with fast broadband Internet connections available for public use. (Please see library fees and charges, booking and acceptable use policy).  Contact your local library for more information.

Need help getting online?

Ask at your local Library or One Stop Shop about how we can help you get online or call free on 0800 032 2345.  Right now in libraries across Cornwall, we are helping to introduce people to the benefits of being online.