Frequently asked questions about joining the library

If you have joined online, your library card will be posted to the address provided. No further proof is required.

If you join in a library you will need to show us some proof of your identity as listed below. Please take this with you to the library on your first visit.

Full library membership

• Adults (including 16-17 year olds), please provide one proof of your name and address
• 12-15 year olds, please provide one proof of parent/guardian name and address, along with your completed joining form, signed by parent/guardian
• Under-12s will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian who must provide one proof of their name and address.

The documents we accept for proof of identity include:

• driving licence, bus pass, council tax payment book, medical card, official rent book, pension book, Post Office savings book, recent bank statement, welfare benefits book, recent receipted bill for gas, electricity etc. school ID 

If you are unable to provide proof of identity for full membership, you will be offered introductory membership.

Introductory membership

• Adults (including 16-17 year olds) will be offered introductory membership if no proof of ID is available.
• 12-15 year olds, if unaccompanied by parent/guardian can become introductory members with some proof of identity such as homework book or bus pass.
• Under-12s, if accompanied by parent/guardian, can be offered introductory membership if their parent/guardian is unable to show proof of identity.
   

Please see the children's page for more information

It costs nothing to join the library and you can borrow books for free.

However, there are charges if:

• you borrow videos, DVDs, CDs, tapes and CD-ROMs
• you bring items back late
• you lose or damage items you have borrowed
• you need a replacement for a lost library card

Concessions 
Some library members, such as the elderly, housebound or disabled, do not have to pay all of these charges.

Yes, the following groups are welcome to join the library. 

• music societies 
• reading groups
• early years groups and childminders
• community groups supporting life long learning

If you give us your email address we will use it to send:

• a reminder that books on loan to you are due back in a few days' time
• reminders about overdues
• notification that requested items are ready to collect from your library

You can also choose to receive information about events and activities in our regular email newsletter.

Some Internet Service Providers treat the email address that we use to send out library notification as "spam". This means that email we send can be either blocked or sent straight to your "trash" folder.

Please check your email settings to ensure that you can receive email from the following address

your.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk  

Have you changed your email address?
Have you given us your email address? 

Report the loss immediately and receive a replacement.

If you lose your library card please report the loss as soon as possible at any library, by telephone or email.

Please note that you are responsible for all items borrowed with a lost card until the loss is notified to the library.

To get a replacement card you will need to visit a library. You will be asked to show identification (as listed above for full library membership).

There is no charge the first time a library card is replaced but any subsequent cards issued will cost £1 each.