Borrowing items
You need a library card to borrow items from a library including books, DVDs, CDs, eBooks and Audio books.
How can I borrow items?
To use the online renewals and catalogue system you need your library card and pin.
- search the online library catalogue for books, DVDs, CDs and audio books
- visit your local library and ask our staff to do the search for you
- search for eBooks and eAudio Books
- have your books delivered to you for free (Home Library Service)
- see the mobile library locations
How long can I borrow items for?
Borrowing books is free. There are charges for some other services.
At any one time, the maximum you can borrow is:
- 20 books up to 3 weeks
- 5 eBooks up to 3 weeks
- 4 DVDs up to 1 week
- 2 DVDs for children up to 1 week
- 8 Music CDs up to 3 weeks
- 8 Audio Book sets up to 3 weeks
- 4 Children's Audio Book sets up to 3 weeks
If you would like to borrow an item for longer please ask at the library.
You can return items to any library in the London Library Consortium (please print and keep receipts for your records). You must return an item back before or on its renewal date. If you don't, you will be fined.
Our foster carers library card
The Foster Carers card is available to any registered Foster Carer resident in Redbridge.
Foster Carers may borrow:
- up to 20 books for up to 6 weeks at any one time
- 2 CDs without charge for 3 weeks
- 2 childrens’ DVDs without charge for 1 week
Renew items
To continue to borrow, you need to renew your library items within the timescales above. If you renew chargeable items like DVDs and CDs you will need to pay the hire fee again.
Reserve items
If the item is not available at the library you can:
Reservation services are free for books within the London Library Consortium. We will have the item(s) set aside for you at your local library when it becomes available and let you know when you can come and collect it.
