FAQs
How do I join the Library?
You just need to show 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?
No. Everyone is welcome to join the library for free.
How many books and other items can I borrow?
Adults and children may borrow up to 10 items each. The loan
period is 3 weeks for books and sound recordings, 1 week
for 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
may borrow 10 books for your personal use plus an extra ten
books to use in your work with children. You may keep your personal
books for three weeks and the additional books for as long as seven
weeks, unless other customers reserve them. Next time you are in
the library ask for a teachers, child-minders or playgroup
leaders library card,. You'll need to 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
registered Vale of Glamorgan child-minder.
There is no provision for the extended loan of sound
recordings or DVDs.
Do you lend music and DVDs?
Yes we do. We have a wide range of music CDs for loan at Barry,
Penarth and Cowbridge Libraries. CDs can be borrowed for three
weeks at a time.
All full time libraries have a collection of DVDs for
loan. There is a charge to borrow these items.
How do I use the library’s online services?
To use the online resources available via our 24 Hour
Library and Homework Help page, you just need to be a
member of the library. If you are not on a library PC, you can
still access most of these resources by typing in your library card
number when prompted. Anyone can search our online
catalogue to see if we stock a particular book or item. However
to access any of the other services available via our online
catalogue, you will need both your library card number and a pin
number. If you do not have a pin number, please ask staff at your
nearest library to allocate one to you.
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 may search
for a book, CD or other item using 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, please always phone the library from home
before visiting. 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. We
have many 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 some of these services.
What if the library doesn't have the book I want?
If we don't have a copy of the book in one of our
libraries we will usually, generally 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 three weeks.
You can renew them in person or by phone (contact numbers for
our libraries can be found on their individual pages in the
Our
Libraries section). 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. Alternatively if you have a 4 number pin code you
can use this and your library card number to
renew the books via our online catalogue.
What happens if I'm late returning my books?
If you keep books or sound recordings longer than three
weeks without renewing them there will be a charge to pay on
return. Charges for outstanding items are increased by the weekly
charge until they reach a maximum charge of £5 for
overdue adult books and sound recordings. The maximum overdue
charge for DVDs and videos is set at £10.
Children do not pay overdue charges for children's books
and children's music items but do pay overdue charges for overdue
DVDs rentals.
What happens if I damage or fail to return books and other
items?
Your library membership will be suspended automatically if you
fail to return or renew items that are 9 weeks or more
overdue. If your membership is suspended you will no longer be able
to borrow or reserve further items, logon to computers in the
library or logon to your online library catalogue account. The
suspension will be lifted and you will regain full membership once
you return books and pay your charges. If you are unable to pay all
your charges in one go please ask staff about staggered
payments.
If a book or other item in your care is lost or damaged you will
be asked to pay the replacement cost. There is a minimum
replacement charge of £5.
Children do not pay overdue charges for children's books
but membership is suspended in the same way if items are 9 weeks or
more overdue.
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. There is no fine for
overdue children's books borrowed on a children's card. Nor is
there a charge for a children's talking book again as long as it is
borrowed on a children's card.
What are your Library charges?
Library charges were last updated in August 2009. They are
as follows:
Overdue books:
Adults - 40p a week or part of a week
Children's books - No Charge
Overdue sound recordings:
60p a week or part of a week
Overdue DVDs:
£2.50 a week or part of a week
Loan charges for sound recordings:
Talking Books - £1 for 3 weeks (No Charge for children's talking
books)
Music CDs - £1 for 3 weeks
Language Courses - No charge
Loan charges for DVDS:
£2.50 a week for all items
No concessions
Reservations:
Items in stock in the Vale - No Charge
Items obtained from within Wales - No Charge
Items obtained from outside Wales - £2
Replacement library cards:
£2.00
Fax Service:
Fax UK £1.00 per page
Fax abroad £2.00 per page
Receive fax 50p per page
PC Supplies:
To purchase floppy disk - 30p each. Blank CDs: Read Only - 40p,
Rewritable - 70p. Census vouchers £5.00. Headphones £2.50.
PC Printing:
Black & white - 10p per page.
Colour - 20p per page.
Photocopying:
Black and white - 5p per A4 page, 10p per A3
page.
Colour - 50p per A4 page, £1 per A3 page.
Other items for sale:
Magnified bookmarks £2.00
Children's work books and posters from £1.95 - £3.99
Reading glasses from £2.99 to £9.99, cases from 50p to
£1.50 and cleaning kits at £2.99