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Joining a library is easy and free! Join online or visit any Staffordshire Library where you simply need to give us your name and postcode.
You do not need proof of your identity to join, you just need to know your postcode. If you don't know your postcode, you can still borrow some items and we'll post your library card to you.
You can view a map of all libraries to see which locations are nearest to you.
Libraries in Staffordshire are closed on Bank Holidays and will be closed on the following dates:
You can keep most books for three weeks. In some libraries, there are Quick Read collections which can be borrowed for one week so that as many people as possible have a chance to borrow them.
You can borrow CDs and DVDs for one week.
As long as another customer has not requested the items you have on loan, you can renew them a maximum of three times without the items being returned to the library. You can renew books by:
* You will need either your library card number or the book barcode number to renew.
You can borrow:
Contact your local library to see what they have to offer!
You can reset your pin by visiting the Libraries website and choosing the forgot pin option from the login screen.
A library PIN (Personal Identification Number) verifies that you have the authority to access your library card account, since it is a private number which only the account holder knows.
To get a PIN you need to join the library by completing the online form. You will choose your PIN as part of the joining process and you will be able to access the following services:
Computer access
Find out how to access computers in the library.
I have forgot my PIN
Please request a new PIN through the library catalogue.
Please tell Your Library immediately because you are responsible for all items borrowed on your card and for any access to the internet made using your card.
We can then cancel lost or stolen cards and issue you with a new one. There may be a small charge for your replacement card.
To delete an item from your reservations list you will need to contact your local library.
It doesn't cost anything to join or to borrow books.
If your books are late back, or you want to use some other services, then there may be charges. Check our fees and charges page for more detail.
Ready to join?
Visit our Computer Access page for more information.
Library items are selected in line with our Stock Policy
Self-Publish Statement:
Staffordshire Libraries and Arts Service is often asked to acquire, either by purchase or donation, books that have been self-published.
For your titles to be considered for purchase, they need to be presented to our book supplier Askew and be available for selection via the Askew web-based catalogue.
To ensure your titles can go onto the Askew catalogue, they ask that you send full details of title/s of your publication to the following partner companies:
BDS - http://www.bdslive.com
Nielsen Book Data - https://nielsenbook.co.uk/publish/
Gardner’s Books – https://www.gardners.com/Selling-To-Us
Books donated to Staffordshire Libraries and Arts Service will be reviewed and may or may not be added to our library catalogue. We are not in position to return of a book once it has been donated.
Byelaws for Public Libraries made under section 19 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.
shall, unless with the specific consent of a library officer, borrow any other library property
Given under the Common Seal of the Staffordshire County Council this twentieth day of February in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred and ninety seven.
The Common Seal of Staffordshire County Council was hereunto affixed and confirmed by Mr. John R. Gregory, Deputy Clerk of the County Council.
The said byelaws were further confirmed by Mr. Duncan H Wilson, on behalf of the Secretary of State for National Heritage by the Head of Libraries and Information Division, Department of National Heritage.
This note is not part of the byelaws.
Users of the library and library facilities are reminded that the provision of the general law apply at all times. In particular as regards the activities referred to in byelaws 9 and 19 the library authority draws attention to the existence of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
People who intend to make copies of works are advised that they may only do so in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 and are liable to prosecution under that Act if they fail to observe its provisions.
A downloadable version of the above information is available using the link below.
Byelaws for Library Services (58 KB)
During COVID-19 overdue charges in libraries across the country were suspended to avoid penalising people who were unable to return items on loan during lockdown and periods of self-isolation.
When libraries were able to loan books again some COVID restrictions still applied and in Staffordshire charges were never re-introduced.
Overdue charges have been an integral part of running an efficient library service, encouraging books to be returned on time, and by extension giving customers more opportunity to see and borrow newer books, as a good turnover of stock is maintained.
In Staffordshire, there is a network of 27 community managed libraries, which rely on, and have missed, the income from overdue charges to help with day-to-day running costs. It is important that we support these libraries and enable them to a deliver a library offer into their respective communities.
Customer can renew books online, over the phone and via the Staffordshire Libraries app to avoid incurring overdue charges if they are unable to visit their local library.
We are maintaining the cost of overdue charges at pre-COVID levels and are extending the age limit at which overdue charges apply from 16 years to 18 years. This will enable library services to support young people in this age category.
Library users can be emailed prior to their loaned items becoming overdue. This enables customers to manage their accounts and return or renew items before overdue charges are incurred.
We are charging full cost-recovery of British Library photocopies which is £11.65. Previously the county council made a substantial loss by offering copies at just a fraction of that cost.
Full cost recovery for British Library requested books and articles is already in place.
We have increased Reading Group subscriptions by £5.00. This covers the administration cost of collating and dispatching the sets. The group rate is still advantageous for most groups, compared to individual Reading Group members each paying a 50p request fee for each of 12 books over a year, and not necessarily receiving them at the same time as other members.
We do not allow animals on our library premises unless they are Assistance Dogs.The definition of an assistance dog can be found below as defined by the Equality Act 2010.The Equality Act lays out that in relation to protecting the rights of disabled people when accessing private hire transport, an assistance dog means
(a) a dog which has been trained to guide a blind person;(b) a dog which has been trained to assist a deaf person;(c) a dog which has been trained by a prescribed charity to assist a disabled person who has a disability that consists of epilepsy or otherwise affects the person’s mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects;(d) a dog of a prescribed category which has been trained to assist a disabled person who has a disability (other than one falling within paragraph (c)) of a prescribed kind.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission states that assistance dogs:
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