FAQs
How do I join the Library?
All we need from you is some formal proof of your name and current address. One of the following forms of ID will usually be acceptable:
Driving licence, pension book, gas, water or electricity bill, phone bill, medical card, Council tax bill or bank statement.
Children aged 15 or younger need the approval of a parent or guardian to join. The parent or guardian will need to provide proof of their own name and address unless they are already members of the library.
Is there a charge for joining the Library?
Everyone is welcome to join the library for free.
How many books and other items can I borrow?
Adults and children can borrow up to 10 items. The loan period is 3 weeks for books and sound recordings, 1 week for videos and DVDs. If a book is in high demand by other customers we may sometimes ask you to return it after 2 weeks instead of 3.
How do Teachers, Child-minders and Playgroup Leaders join?
If you are a local teacher, child-minder or playgroup leader you can borrow 10 books for your personal use plus an extra 10 books to use in your work with children. You can keep your personal books for 3 weeks and the additional books for as long as 7 weeks, unless other customers reserve them. All you need to do is ask for a teachers, child-minders or playgroup leaders library card and provide identification and a letter on headed notepaper from your school or playgroup. If you are a child-minder we need to see proof that you are a Vale of Glamorgan registered child-minder.
There is no special provision for the extended loan of sound recordings, videos or DVDs.
Do you lend music, videos and DVDs?
We have a wide range of music CDs for loan at Barry, Penarth and Cowbridge Libraries. CDs can be borrowed for 3 weeks at a time.
Barry, Llantwit Major and Dinas Powys Libraries have a collection of videos and DVDs for loan. There is a small loan charge for these items.
How do I find the book I'm looking for?
The easiest way to find the book you want is by using our online catalogue either from home or in the library. You can search for a book, CD or other item under keyword, title or author.
If you find the book you want on the catalogue you'll need to note which library has it and in which section of the library it is shelved in. You can try finding it yourself if you are in the library, or ask staff for help.
If the book is at another library or you are using the catalogue from home, we suggest you always phone before visiting the library to confirm the book you want it available. Books that appear available on the catalogue are not always on the shelf when you look for them, so a phone call in advance may save an unnecessary journey. There are also lots of information books and newspapers articles available to view online on our 24 Hour Library and Homework Help Page. You will need to type in your library card barcode to access them.
What can I do if you don't have the book I want?
If we don't have a copy of the book in one of the libraries in the Vale we will usually, for a small charge, be able to borrow it for you from another library in the UK. Ask a member of staff for a card to place a reservation and we'll do the rest.
How do I renew my books?
If nobody else requests the books you are reading, you can extend the loan period and keep them longer than 3 weeks. You can renew them in person or by phone. Simply let us know your name and library membership number (from your library card), the Book Number (from the barcode on the date label page of the book), and the date the book is due back.
What happens if I'm late returning my books?
If you keep books or sound recordings longer than 3 weeks without renewing them there will be a charge to pay on return. Charges for outstanding items are increased by a small amount each week until they reach a maximum charge of £1.10 for children's books and £3.30 for overdue adult books. The maximum charge for DVDs and videos is set at £15.
What happens if I damage or fail to return books and other items?
You may be asked to pay the replacement cost of any book or other item you lose, damage or fail to return.
Are there any Library concessions for customers with disabilities?
Talking books may be issued free if you are unable to read books or have a very limited capacity to read books. If you have a visual impairment, are dyslexic or have a physical disability that stops you being able to handle books, then you are probably entitled to free loans of our talking books. Please discuss this with a member of staff next time you visit the library.
What are your Library charges?
Library charges have remained the same since July 2001. They are as follows:
Overdue books:
Adults 30p a week or part of a week
Children 10p a week or part of a week
Overdue sound recordings:
Adults 50p a week or part of a week
Children 25p a week or part of a week
Loan charges for sound recordings:
Items with one or two parts 50p
Items with more than two parts 1.00
Reservations:
Items in stock 50p (non-refundable)
Items obtained from outside the Vale 2.00
Replacement tickets:
Computer tickets 1.00
Fax Service:
Fax UK 1.00 per page
Fax abroad 2.00 per page
Receive fax 50p per page
PC Services:
To purchase floppy disk - 30p each, blank CDs: Read Only - 40p each, Rewritable - 70p
Black & white printer copies 10p per page
Colour printer copies 20p per page