How do I join the library?

Fill in an application form and hand it to a member of staff together with proof of your name and address. Forms can be downloaded from the Joining the Library page.

What can I borrow?

Adults: 20 books, 8 audio items and 6 DVDs.

Children under 16: 12 books, 6 storytapes, 2 videos or 2 DVDs.

How do I borrow?

Items can be borrowed from and returned to any Doncaster Public Library.

Just present your library card and items for loan at the counter.

What is the loan period?

Books, books on tape or CD and music CDs are loaned for 3 weeks; children's videos, standard DVDs, Premium DVDs and Blu-Ray DVDs are loaned for 1 week.

Loan periods can be extended providing the items are not requested by another borrower.

Renew items on loan in person or by telephone, e-mail, letter or via the login box on this page.

Fines may be payable on items returned late and most borrowers pay a standard charge for any overdue reminders.

Please note that the renewal of CDs, DVDs or Spoken Word incurs a fee which will be the same as the loan charge made when the item was borrowed. This charge will be added to your membership record. 

How much does it cost?

Free loan of books, charges apply to most spoken word, audio and visual items. Please visit the following page for further details:  Library Fees and Charges

Standard requests are now free of charge.  If the book is obtained from another Library Service, (Inter Library Loan) the charge will be £5.50 or the actual cost if it is higher. Requests can also be placed for other items such as DVDs.

What if I lose my library card?

Report a lost card immediately to any Doncaster public Library. You will be issued with a replacement though a charge may be made.

You are responsible for Library materials borrowed on your card, including payment for loss or damage and fees and charges incurred.

You should not allow anyone to use your library card.

What information is held about me on the computer?

Information provided by you on the membership application is added to the computer system and the Data Protection Act ensures that this is treated as confidential.

How can I check my library record?

If you wish to check your library record yourself you will need to access it online.  Internet access is available in all libraries.  The access is free for the first hour then costs £1.35 per hour or part thereafter (this charge excludes under 16's or exempt borrowers). Charges apply to guest members.

You will need your library card and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) - please ask a member of staff if you are not sure of your PIN number.

How do I find out what you have in stock?

You can check the library catalogue via the library website on your home PC or any Doncaster Library computer. Staff will be happy to help with this and we may be able to obtain items not in stock. Standard requests are now free but charges do apply to Inter Library Loans.

How to request items

Members of the Library Service can request any item that is not immediately available. If the title is not in stock within Doncaster Libraries, every effort will be made to obtain a copy either by purchase or by borrowing from another library.

All standard requests are free of charge. If the book is obtained from another Library Service, (Inter Library Loan) the charge will be £5.50 or the actual cost if it is higher. Requests can also be placed for other items such as DVDs.

Requests can be placed by filling in a request card or asking a member of staff.  

If the item is listed on the library catalogue, a hold may be placed by using one of the Open Public Access Computers (OPACs) in any library.

The service is also available online through the link to the Library Catalogue using the following link: Library Catalogue Online - In this case you will need your library card number and PIN (Personal Identification Number). Please ask a member of staff if you do not have a PIN.

What are the opening hours?

Opening times vary between libraries. 

The times for each library are listed in their entry on this website, which can be checked using the following link: Find your local library

What other services do you provide?

Internet Access is available at all libraries free of charge for the first hour, then at a cost of £1.35 per hour or part thereafter. (This excludes under 16’s or exempt borrowers). Charges apply to guest members.  Access is also available to do word processing, spreadsheets, document scanner, Theory Test CD-ROM etc. Sessions can be booked in advance.

Many libraries provide photocopying, fax, newspapers, meeting rooms, local history, community information, readers groups, courses, events and activities, with additional services at Customer Service Centres such as Recycling Site permits.