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Join the library

Find everything you need to know about being a member of East Riding Libraries, it's free! From benefits, to how to avoid fines, suggested reading and junior membership.

How to join

Join a community

With East Riding Libraries, you get much more than books. Join today, and get all this for free at all 23 libraries and at our mobile libraries:

We're a community

With lots on for all ages, pop in for a chat, meet local authors and take part in school holiday activities.

  • Events
  • Children's activities
  • Helpful, friendly staff

Health and wellbeing

Improve your mental health, find a place to relax and boost your brain training with our health offer.

  • Books on prescription
  • A safe and relaxing place to visit
  • Join social and interest groups

Skills and learning

Get access to adult learning and free resources for research and homework with a range of books and online information.

  • Online learning and computer skills
  • Free access to research websites
  • Job search and CV resources

Discounts

Save money on coffee, subscription websites and avoid fees with our reminder texts!

  • 10% off at council owned cafes
  • Free access to family history websites
  • Free text and email reminders

Get online

Surf the web at your local library using your own device or use our computers. You can manage your account online too.

  • Free public Wi-Fi and computer access
  • Reserve and renew books online or with the free App
  • Click Print Go - email straight from home to pick up

Reading

What's a library without books? We've got crime, fantasy, non-fiction, audio, magazines, history, cookery, languages and much more on our shelves.

  • Thousands of books available on the shelves
  • Borrow Audiobooks and eAudiobooks
  • Download eBooks and eMagazines

Already a member?

Go to the catalogue to log in with your library card number and pin to find, reserve, renew and review your favourite books.

Visit the catalogue

Have you tried our app?

Did you know you can manage your library books with our nifty East Riding Libraries app? Download using the links below:

Download on the App Store logo Get it on Google Play logo

How to join

Online
In a library
  1. You can join online and set up your online account straight away by completing a simple form. You can join online if you are 16 years or older.
  2. Choose your nearest library on the form to pick up your card – but you can use all East Riding Libraries and mobile libraries with your free membership!
  3. Once the form is submitted, at the bottom of the page, you will see a short welcome message with instructions and a link to obtain your temporary library card number.
  4. Once you have clicked the link, you then need to click 'Registered accounts at East Riding' to obtain your temporary library card number. This number always begins with UNREG. This number, together with the PIN you chose, can be used to reserve books, download eBooks and access some of our Research 24/7 websites. Please make a note of this number and the PIN you chose.
  5. Your temporary library card number will be valid for 31 days. Within this period, you will need to visit any East Riding library and the staff will exchange your temporary library card number to a physical library card. This only takes a couple of minutes and is free. Please take proof of ID such as a Driving Licence or a recent utility bill.

Join online

Join in your local library

Anybody can join the library. Simply pop into any East Riding Library and ask a member of staff. All you need is some ID with name, address and signature. Remember to ask for a PIN to set up your online account later.

Child membership

Children 15 years or younger can sign up for a junior membership and will need a parent carer to sign a guarantor consent form. Children's cards can be linked to a parent's online account for a single login.

Find a library

Join the library video guide

Quick and easy video tutorial, showing the steps to join the library online!

For all readers

Fees and charges

Joining and using most library services is free, but there are fees for overdue books, lost and damaged items, printing and copying services and using personal camera equipment in the local studies libraries.

Please note: Overdue charges are suspended until further notice.

Key fees and charges

Type Charge
Late books £0.10 per book per day in the first week up to 50p. 50p per week thereafter. Maximum fine of £10. Overdue charges are suspended until further notice.
Lost card or book Replacement library cards are £1.50. Lost books will be subject to the full replacement cost.
Exemptions There is no charge for late books on junior and senior membership or for mobile library users. There is also no charge for damaged items on junior memberships.

Using the library

Is the library just books?

East Riding Libraries is much more than books! We're a community - your community - so come and join us for events, social groups, a safe place to sit and have a coffee, meet friends, print, use computers, learn new skills, and so much more. Visit more than books.

What items can I borrow from the library and how many at a time?

You can borrow up to 12 books, 6 eBooks, 8 audiobooks, 4 eAudiobooks, 8 DVDs and 8 CDs at any one time. You can read an unlimited number of eMagazines. All branch libraries have self-service machines where you can scan the barcode on your membership card and borrow or renew books on your account.

When and where do I need to return my items?

Most items can be borrowed for three weeks at a time (unless otherwise stated when borrowed). When you borrow items from the library, you can choose to get a receipt printed from our self-serve machines showing the return date. If you do not print the receipt or you lose it, you can see the return date when you log in to your online account on library catalogue, under 'my loans'.

You can return library books to any branch or mobile library.

Can I ask someone else to collect, return or renew my library loans for me?

Yes, you can ask someone else to collect, return or renew your library loans, but you are still responsible for any books taken in your name.

I haven't finished with my items by my return date, can I keep them longer?

Yes, you can renew physical items for a further three weeks for a maximum of three times. You cannot renew eBooks and eAudiobooks, but you can borrow them again. To renew, log in to your online account, go to My Loans and click renew next to your item. Or visit a branch and use our self-serve machines. You do not need to bring the book, just your library card. Renew options can be found under My Account.

I've lost my library book or other items, what do I do?

Please let us know as soon as possible. Staff will be able to advise on what to do and how much replacement fees will be. You can ask staff to renew the item once if you require more time to search for it.

How do I get a pin?

You create a pin when you sign up for library membership online, or if you join at a branch it will be randomly generated. Ask one of our staff to print it out for you.

If you forget your pin, you can reset it online by clicking 'Forgot PIN' under the log-in box or asking one of our staff to print it off for you. We cannot do anything about your pin over the telephone.

How do I change my pin?

Log in to your online account. In profile, click on 'registered accounts'. From there you can change your pin.

If you forget your pin, you can reset it online by clicking 'Forgot PIN' under the log in box or ask one of our staff to print it off for you. We cannot do anything about your pin over the telephone.

You don't have a book I want, will you get it?

Our library members can make purchase suggestions for books we do not have in our collection. This request goes to our stock officer and they decide if we should buy it. You will be informed of the decision, and if we buy it, the book will be added to your reservations. Make a purchase suggestion using your online account.

My address or contact information has changed.

You can change your library membership contact details by logging in to your online account. You will need to show a member of staff a new ID if you change your address.

What's different between junior, standard and senior membership?

Junior members (under 18 years old) and senior members (over 65 years old) do not get charged late fees for overdue books. Junior and Senior membership are automatically based on age.