Register

Becoming a member

Membership of the library service is free. You do not need to live within Solihull to have a Solihull Library membership. You can use your Library card at any Library within the Solihull Borough. Some of our services may have restrictions e.g. only accessible from within a Library.

You can only join online if you are over 16 years old. If you are under 16 and wish to join you will need to come into a library with a guarantor.

On completion of the online form you will be issued with a library card number, which is valid for two years and allows access to our online resources (except those restricted to access from within library buildings).

If you wish to use any library-based services (borrowing physical items, placing reservations, booking computers or using Click and Collect) please take your online number to any local library in Solihull with proof of your name and current address. Please check our library opening hours before visiting.

You are entitled to one active Library membership, therefore if you have previously had a Solihull Library card or if your application is rejected then please email libraries@solihull.gov.uk or contact your local library for further information.

You can join by visiting any of our Libraries with proof of your name and current address. Please check our library opening hours before visiting.

If you are 13 or under you will need a parent, carer or a responsible adult over 18 in the family to act as guarantor. As guarantor you undertake to be responsible for items borrowed, internet usage and any charges incurred through loss or damage. If you are acting as a Guarantor you have agreed that they can become a member of Solihull Libraries on the following terms:

• That they undertake to abide by the rules of the Library
• As guarantor you will be responsible for items borrowed and any charges incurred.
• As guarantor you will be responsible for their internet usage, including materials found on or printed from the computers, and any costs or damages that may be incurred while connected.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, we will accept a provisional driving licence, student card, letter from your school or college, or other appropriate identification.

You must provide one proof of name and address from the list below (items marked * must be no more than two months old). - Driving Licence (including Provisional) / Medical Card / Council Tax / Tenancy Agreement or Rent Book / Utility Bill* / Credit/Charge Card Bill or Bank Statement* / Other Official Letters*/ TV Licence. We also accept digital forms of identification, e.g. a bank statement on your banking app.

Your membership entitles you to

Borrow up to 10 books, 10 audiobooks, 6 DVDs and 6 CDs on your card. These can be borrowed from and returned to any branch of the Solihull Library Service. Books are issued for three weeks. Audiobooks, DVDs and CDs are issued for a week free of charge.

You can sign up to borrow eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers from Borrowbox, Libby/Overdrive, and PressReader along with many other online resources such as Theory Test Pro and more. No need to worry about returning the item on time and no charges to pay. More information is on our Virtual Reference page.

If the item you require isn't available, you may reserve it online or at any library and have it sent to your local Solihull Library. This is free if the item is already in stock in Solihull Libraries, whether it is on the shelf or on loan.

As a library member you can book to use a computer at your local library including printing facilities. Use of the computers is free for 3 hours but any printing will need to be paid for. You can also access our subscriptions websites. Please ensure that children are supervised when using a computer.

Various events are held throughout Solihull Libraries for all ages. You can search for events in your area. To attend some events you will need to be a library member.

As a library member

You can access your account at any time by logging into your online account via the Library catalogue. You will need your Library card number and PIN. You can see when your membership is due to expire. It will list when items are due back, the status of any reservations and you can renew your items. You can also check your account at any self-service Kiosk. If you are issuing or returning an item at a Self-service Kiosk then retain the receipt. If you have a query with any items on your account then please ensure you contact the Library from which you borrowed or returned them as soon as possible.

To be able to use the Library e.g. borrow books or use the computers you will need to have your card number and PIN. We would always recommend you bring your card with you as you may require it to access some services or provide it as proof if you have a query with your account. Do not allow your library card to be used by anyone else.

If you lose your Library card or it is stolen then please inform us as soon as possible. There is a charge to replace a lost card. Do not attempt to re-join the library by filling in the online registration form.

To ensure that we hold up to date membership details all cards expire after a set period of time depending on the borrower category you have been assigned. If you try to take out or renew an item that will be due back after your card has expired the transaction will be blocked. To find out when your card expires please check your online account. On expiry of your card we will check your membership details and you will be asked to provide proof of address. If you change your personal details then please let us know as soon as possible. Some changes e.g. email address can be made via your online account. To update your address then please take your card and proof of address to a Solihull Library.

Please remember to:

• Return items to the library on or before their due date to allow them to be borrowed by other library users.
• Renew your items online, by phone or in person at your local branch
• Return overdue items once you receive an overdue notice. If you can't then please contact a member of library staff to discuss.
• Provide or add your email address to your account. You will get courtesy reminders before your loans are due back as well as prompts after, should you not return them.

If you don't return an item or contact a member of staff to discuss an overdue item before you receive the first overdue reminder, your card will be frozen and you will not be able to take out or renew any further items, including ebooks and eaudiobooks, and will not be able to use library computers. Borrowing privileges cannot be restored until overdue items are returned, or you have made contact with library staff to discuss the matter.

You can renew an item up to a maximum 3 times unless:

• The item has been returned.
• The item is more than 3 days overdue.
• Library card is due to expire before the return date.

When renewing allow enough time before the item is due back in case it cannot be renewed.

Please check the condition of items before loan and alert staff to any damage found as you may be held responsible for any damage found after you return them. If an item is lost or damaged, then a replacement charge is payable. Donated replacement copies are not accepted in lieu of payment. If you have lost or damaged an item please talk to a member of staff as soon as possible.

Each of our libraries host lots of different activities and provides a variety of services to meet the expectations of our many customers. There are guidelines based on the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 that focus on how visitors should behave toward each other, library staff, the building and its stock. These guidelines allow customers to experience a safe, secure and enjoyable environment. Misuse of your membership including abuse of members of staff or other customers could lead to your library privileges being removed.

Privacy Statement

To see how we use the data that we collect from you please see our privacy notices:

• Libraries and Information Services Privacy Notice
• Solihull Council Privacy Notice

Acceptance

Click the button below to accept these conditions and proceed to the registration form.