How to Join
To join Sefton Libraries, you can join online on our catalogue using this link. Alternatively, you can visit any Sefton Library and join up in person. It's free to join and you don't need to bring an identification - all we need is your name, address, email and a few other details.
Once you have joined up, you will receive your library card - if you join online, you will need to pop into any of our libraries to pick up your card. If you have provided us with your email address, this will be used to notify you of any reservations waiting to be collected, remind you if you have any books due back and inform you if your books become overdue.
However, if you simply want to browse, read, study or find out the answer to a query, do feel free to come in - you don't need to join.
Borrowing, Renewing and Reserving
We have a range of materials available to borrow for free, from classics to audiobooks to crime to large print. You can visit any Sefton library to browse our shelves or you can use our online catalogue to search for specific titles. You can borrow and return your items to any Sefton library.
All books have a 3 week loan period and can be renewed up to 10 times, as long as it hasn't been requested by another borrower. If you wish to keep anything for longer than the 3 weeks, you can renew them in person, by phone or via our online catalogue. If you exceed the 10 renewals, you will need to return the items to any Sefton library to return them before being able to reissue them if required.
If you wish to request a specific title, you can do that in person, by phone or via our online catalogue. When your reservation is waiting for you to collect it, you will receive an email if you provided us with one. Alternatively, you can contact your local library to find out if it's ready to collect.
To access our online catalogue, you will need to have your library card number and a PIN number which will have been set when you joined. If you don't know your PIN, you can contact your local library to reset it.
Fees and Charges
Overdue charges for adults (18+) = 12p per item, per day, to a maximum of £6
Overdue charges for children = 1p per item, per day, to a maximum of £1.50
* If you have £10 or more outstanding on your account, you will not be able to borrow further items until the charges have been paid *
Replacement library card = £1.30
Lost/Damaged books = percentage of book cost + £1.10 admin fee
Reservations = free
Interlibrary loans = £4.20
Computers, WiFi and Printing
All Sefton libraries have computers, printers and scanners available for public use. You get 2 hours per day of computer use. To use a computer, you will need your library card and PIN number. If you don't know your PIN, you can reset it at the library. Bootle library and Crosby library have a WiFi printer available.
If you wish to print off or photocopy, the charges are as followed:
- A4 black & white = 15p per side
- A4 colour = 20p per side
- A3 black & white/colour = 25p per side
- Printing from microfilm/fiche = 50p per side
Community Offer
Sefton libraries offer a range of events and activities. For children, we have regular story time sessions as well as Lego and board game sessions. We also host craft sessions during the school holidays and in the summer we have the Summer Reading Challenge which is designed to encourage children to continue reading whilst they're not in school.
For adults, we have a variety of reading groups, local history talks and IT 1-1 sessions. We also work in partnership with At The Library artists to deliver a range of events from chopping club to stitch club to library smokery. They've also ran one-off events like making ceramic dinner sets, canal walks and tea making.
To find out more about what each library offers, you can visit the individual library pages using this link or contact your local library.
Room Hire
Bootle Library, Crosby Library and Formby Library have rooms which are available to book. There are also pods available to book at Crosby Library, Netherton Library and Southport Library.
For more information on how to book the rooms and the costs, please contact the relevant library.
Privacy Policy
Please take time to read the Sefton Library and Information Service privacy policy. This will explain what information we hold about you, why we hold it and when we will contact you.
| Privacy Notice Sefton Library Service |  (pdf 419KB) |