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Libraries

How do I join the library?

Click the link for full joining information
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How many items can I withdraw at a time?

Once you are a member, you can borrow any combination of items up to a maximum of 14.

How long can I keep them for?

Most items are checked out for a period of three weeks, but many can be renewed at any library either by telephone or in person - as long as nobody else wants them!

Will borrowing items cost me anything?

Please click the link for full information
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How much are the fines for overdue items?

Please click the link for full information
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I am blind/partially sighted. Do I have to pay a hire charge for recorded sound, videos or CD Rom?

No. In this case, and for people who have difficulty reading print due to physical or learning disabilities or dyslexia do not pay hire or request charges, or fines.

Can I get access to the Internet at libraries?

Yes, you can get access to the Internet, e-mail and Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, etc.) at all libraries. There are dedicated machines for adults and children. Access is free, but we do charge for printing. Because of the demand, we limit users to one hour per day, and you may have to wait before a machine is free. In Southend Library there is a self-booking system which allows customers to pre-book a PC up to 7 days ahead. We are sorry, but you cannot pre-book by telephone or email.

What if I can't get to the library?

You can find information on the home delivery system and mobile library services on the Library pages of the website. Home Delivery: Fortnightly visits by trained Library volunteers ensure that over 250 people across the town can continue to enjoy their Library service. The service offers books, music CD's, videos, spoken word cassettes and CD's or community information. Items not immediately available can be requested free of charge. Mobile Library: The Mobile Library provides a three weekly library service to customers living in 123 elderly people and nursing homes, hospice or sheltered housing across the town. For more information, ring the Central Library on 01702 215011.
More information

• Where I Live - Education and Health

  Find your closest School, Library, NHS Service and Leisure Centre based on your postcode.

We are not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

• 2010 Citizen of Southend Award Launched
  

  Libraries are supporting the Southend-on-Sea Citizen of the Year Award 2010, which is sponsored by Adventure Island and Southend Radio, in association...

• Big Brew - Southend Central Library
  

  Big Brew - 22nd February 2010 On a wet Monday morning, staff at Southend Central Library welcomed customers with a cheery cuppa as part of the Big...

• Book Collection
  

  All our libraries stock a huge range of books both fiction and non - fiction

• Bookstart Book Crawl
  

  A new library-joining initiative for very young children, being introduced in all Southend Libraries now.

• Branch Libraries
  

  For all library enquiries, please contact 01702 215011 Central Library Friars Library Kent Elms Library Leigh Library ...

• CD and DVD Collection
  

  Southend libraries have a wide range of popular and classical music on CD with regular additions of new titles when these are released for libraries to stock

• Children's and Teenzone Library
  

  You can join the library at any age and it's free! New Children’s Reading Groups  Three reading groups for children have...

• Children's Library
  

  Stories, Information books and Videos.

• Community Library Services
  

  Southend Central Library provides a wide range of services for disabled customers, including: Large Print books Spoken Word cassettes...

• Computers for Public Use (The People's Network)
  

  In every library in Southend there are PCs providing access to the Internet, webmail and Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Publisher...

• Cycle Watch
  

  Dont give bike thieves an easy ride

• Digital Delight for Southend Talking Book Customers
  

  Southend Libraries in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) offers a FREE digital CD Talking Book Service to people with...

• Essex Record Office - Archive Service
  

  Record storage facilities at Southend Central Library did not meet the standards for archive preservation and could not be upgraded. To ensure the long-term...

• Explore 5 Southend Libraries Book Festival 2010
  

  Welcome to Explore 5 - our latest programme for Southend Libraries Book Festival. This year the range...

• Family History
  

  Southend Libraries hold a range of resources for family historians. All libraries have books on how to research family history and through the free...

• Friars Library
  

  Location and opening times

• Historical Records
  

  Whether you are researching your family tree or finding out more about where you live, historical records can be invaluable. Information is available...

• Home Library Service
  

  If you are unable to visit one of our libraries, we can bring material to you.

• Information Services
  

  Southend Libraries deal with 280,000 enquiries a year, 160,000 of them at the Central Library alone. So, if you have a question to ask, information is our business and we're there to help.
  
  

• Joining The Library
  

  You can join the library at any age and it's free!

• Kent Elms Library
  

  Location and opening times

• Language Courses
  

  Southend-on-Sea Borough Libraries has a large collection of materials on languages from Afrikaans to Welsh, mostly based at the Central Library.

• Leigh Library
  

  Location and opening times

• Libraries
  

  Southend-on-Sea Borough Libraries is one of the busiest library services in the UK, lending more books per head of population than any other library service.

• Library Events
  

  What's new and happening in the Library Service ....

• Library Facilities & Fees
  

  Southend Libraries have a number of facilities available not only in Southend Central but within the branches as well. Meeting Rooms Southend Central...

• Library Meeting Rooms
  

  Meetings are vital to working life however, it isn't always easy to find somewhere to meet at the Civic Centre. The Central Library is only 5 minutes...

• Library Service Offers Free Requests!
  

  As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, any item from another library with Southend, Essex or Thurrock Libraries can be requested free of charge!

• Local Studies Collection
  

  Local studies has an unique collection of books and pamphlets relating to the old administrative area of the Rochford Hundred, with a large collection...

• Mobile Library Services - reaching out to readers
  

  The Mobile Library offers three weekly visits to over a hundred residential homes, sheltered housing and hospice across the town.
  
  
  

• Online Reference Library
  

  On-line databases, search and enquiry facilities

• Online Reference Library (People's Network)
  

  Southend Libraries subscribe to a number of online data for the Southend People's Network. These are available to Southend Borough Libraries library...

• Pre-School (Storyrhymes)
  

  We are happy to welcome babies and pre-school children in all Southend Libraries. There are board books for babies and toddlers who are still learning...

• Reading Groups
  

  Southend Libraries currently run and facilitate a number of Library and community based reading groups.

• Southchurch Library
  

  Location and opening times

• Southend Arts Council Show 2010
  

  Ground Floor Gallery Southend Central Library 12th - 31st March 2010 Returning this year to Southend Library’s ground floor gallery Southend...

• Southend Libraries is Leading on Reading
  

  Two Southend Library reading groups have recently attracted national interest from The Reading Agency (TRA) and the Royal National Institute of Blind...

• Southend readers take up the Six Book Challenge
  

  Libraries are teaming up with Southend Adult Community College (SACC) to encourage students and members of the Chatty Readers reading group to take...

• Thorpedene Library
  

  Location and opening times

• Westcliff Library
  

  Location and opening times