Libraries - children and families

How to Join

It's free to join, and children and young people are welcome at any age - from 1 day to 18 years. Fill in a joining form and ask one of your parents or a guardian to sign it, and you will be given your own library card. A special family card is available on the mobile libraries.

What do I do next?

You can go and choose items to borrow straight away. You are allowed to borrow up to 15 books and keep them for 3 weeks. When you have finished them, bring them back and choose some more!

If you’re reading a long book and don’t finish it in 3 weeks, you can renew your items for another three weeks.

What if my library doesn’t have the books I want?

If the book you want is in stock at any of our libraries, you can request it, free of charge, and we will deliver the book to your local branch. You can check our library catalogue online, or at your library.

 If we don’t have the book at all, you can fill in a request card at your local library and we will consider buying the title for stock.

When can I visit?

Libraries are open at different times- you will be given a copy of the opening hours when you join.


Some of the things you can borrow:

  • Board books for babies

  • Picture books for toddlers

  • Easy Reads for children who are learning to read

  • Stories full of adventures for older readers

  • Topic books to answer all your questions

  • Novels for Teenagers and Young Adults

  • Comics and Graphic Novels

  • Audio Books - stories and novels on CD and Playaway (MP3 player)

  • Multi - Cultural books in various foreign languages 

Young adults:

You can now hire DVDs!

You will need a Young Scot or National Entitlement card, which identifies you and your age.

If you are an existing member and under 16, bring in your library card and your entitlement card and we will amend your record. Your card will be proof of age for DVD hire

If you are under 16 and wish to join for the first time, you will be issued with a membership form.

In both cases, you will need to get a parent or guardian to counter sign your membership form to allow you to borrow DVDs and accept responsibility if items are returned late.

 

Some of our regular activities:

Storytimes

a time when children and adults can share the pleasure of listening to stories and rhymes.Story times are held regularly in many of the libraries and you are very welcome to drop in when you can. Pre-school groups are encouraged to visit their local library for a storytelling session at a time to suit both parties: contact your local library to make arrangements. On occasions we may be able to visit your group at its meeting place.

 If your group is not close to a community Library, you can contact Young People'sServices at Library HQ, to discuss the possibility of visiting for storytelling.

 

Author events

We have a varied programme of author events for children and young people in our libraries every year.

For details of the next author event please contact your library or email Young People’s Services. 

 

 

 

Further information…