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Joining the Library in Birmingham for Adults

Any UK resident may join the library.

Joining if you are a child | Joining if you are a teenager

Simply fill in a membership form and take it, with your proof of identity, to your nearest library or join onlinehere


Online Joining

Complete the online

Joining the Library form . Your full membership card will be posted out to you within a few days.
You will usually be able to borrow books and music recordings straight away and your library card can be used at ALLBirmingham Libraries.

You will be able to borrow
  • 8 books or talking books
  • 8 music cassettes or CDs (where available)
You can keep items for 4 weeks except for music cassettes and CDs (2 weeks)

Other items available
  • 5 videos or DVDs (where available)
  • 4 CD-Roms (where available)
  • 4 Open Learning packs (where available)
You can keep Top Title videos and DVDs for 2 nights and all other videos and DVDs for up to a week.
You can keep CD-ROMs for 1 week.

You will usually have to pay to borrow talking books, music cassettes, CDs CD-Roms, DVDs
and videos. (Please ask staff about concessions and special offers.)

Renewals
You can renew most items (up to a maximum of 3 times) in person, by telephone, or online
If you telephone please have your library card and the items to hand.

Reservations
If the item you require isn't available, you may reserve it. There is no charge for this service. If you tell us your e-mail address and/or mobile phone number, you can be notified by e-mail or text message. Alternatively, you can be notified by post if you reserve the item with a member of staff and pay the current fee of 80p (40p for concessions).

In addition, it is possible to obtain items that are not available within Birmingham libraries by using the Inter Library Loans Service. You can also reserve online.


What we ask of you when you join the Library
  • To bring your library card with you to borrow items from the library.
  • To bring items back on time. You will have to pay a charge for items brought back late. (If you are retired or receiving any benefits, you will probably be eligible for concessions.)
  • To be responsible for all items borrowed on your library card.
  • You will be charged for items that are lost or damaged.
  • Your library card may not be used by anyone else
What you need to bring with you
If you are 16 or over, you must provide one proof of name and address. If you are a student studying in Birmingham you will need to provide both proof of your home address and proof of your temporary address.

If you wish to take videos or CD-Roms your card will be posted to you.

Acceptable Proofs of Identity

Items marked * must be no more than two months old.

  • Driving Licence
  • Medical Card
  • Bank Statement*
  • Water Bill*
  • Rent Book
  • Council Tax Book
  • Tenancy Agreement
  • Gas Bill*
  • Electricity Bill*
  • Telephone Bill*
  • Credit Card Bill*
  • Charge Card Bill*
  • Other Official Letters*
  • TV Licence

How Can Children Join the Library?
Joining the Library for Young People
Inter Library Loan Service.
Library Charges
Library Catalogue
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