FAQ

If you don't know which Westminster Library is closest to you, or don't know what it's called you can give us a call on 020 7641 1300 or check the map on the Westminster home page which lists all our libraries.

If you're out and about, you can text LIBRARY to 80097 to get the address & opening details of your nearest Westminster Library [Terms and conditions] or work it out with the help of our Mobile App.

General contact details for Westminster Libraries as a whole - are on the Contact us page.

You can find individual library contact details, a picture, a map, access details and nearest public transport by going to each library's own page - linked from the Find a Library page.

A wide range of out-of-hours services are available when libraries are not open. These include an enquiry answering service, 24 hour renewals, and online resources such as encyclopaedias, directories, dictionaries and newspapers. See the 24/7 Library for full details.

Books can also be returned out of hours to St John's Wood Library.

Adults

If you are 16 years old or above you can join as long as you can show official proof of your permanent address in the UK.

If you are living in short term accommodation can join as a short stay member (but you will not be able to borrow the full range of items). We will ask you to complete and sign an application form before you start borrowing library materials.

Finally, you can join as a Guest member for one month by showing proof of your identity. This will allow you to use our computer facilities and to access our online resources. However, it won't allow you to borrow books.

Children and young people

For children under 5, a parent or carer may complete and sign the form on the child's behalf. For children and young people between 6 and 15 we will ask for a parent or carer to sign the application form and confirm the signature and address. We will also ask for proof of the parent or carer's name and address, or for the application form to be stamped by the child's school to confirm the details. If parents and children join the library at the same time we can add the child's details to the parent's application form to make joining the library even easier.

Follow this link for further details of joining procedures.

What is the library catalogue?

The library catalogue is a list of all the items we have in stock. It will show you the details of the book or other item that you are interested in, which library it's in, whether it is out on loan and when it is due back. We also have other catalogues, listing our periodicals and archive materials, for instance. They are all listed on the Catalogues page.

With internet access you can use Westminster's catalogue - the e-Library - wherever you are. The e-Library lets you search the catalogue, request books and renew what you have out.

Books and sound recordings are normally loaned for 3 weeks.

Films on DVD can be loaned for 2 nights. Children's and information videos are usually loaned for 1 week. Language courses are loaned for 3 weeks, 6 weeks or 3 months depending on the type and size of the course.

All books and children's talking books can be borrowed free of charge. There are loan charges for any other items.

In the past the police have advised us that for security reasons it is not advisable to have returns boxes in some of our libraries. With new technology now available we are looking again at this issue, and St John's Wood Library now has a returns box. Several Westminster Libraries are open quite late into the evening. Don't forget that you can return any items you have borrowed to any Westminster public library.

Most periodicals, newspapers and magazines held by Westminster Libraries are for reference purposes only. All libraries have some periodicals, but the largest collections are held in the reference and specialist libraries. You can find out which titles are held where by searching the periodicals catalogue.

All our community (lending) libraries carry a small number of magazines that we lend to customers. Unlike books these periodicals can be borrowed for one week only. Details of periodicals for loan can be found on the Library catalogue only - search by title.

The reference libraries exist to provide access to a wide range of information, through many sources. The only way that we can be sure to be able to provide that level of information access is if we retain the sources in the library at all times. It is for this reason that we do not allow any items to be borrowed from the reference libraries. The reference libraries do provide quite a large number of study spaces and desks, and you are welcome to stay in the library for as long as you like (within opening hours!) to use the resources we provide. You can also make photocopies (see Other library facilities below).

Unfortunately, to comply with the rules of the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society, we cannot lend any new pop CDs that are less than 3 months old.

A renewal is normally allowed for the same time as the initial issue period, so books and CDs are renewed for 3 weeks (starting from the date of the renewal). Language courses may be renewed for their original loan period.

Books and CDs can now be renewed up to 8 times (previously 6) without bringing them into the library. You can renew in person, on the telephone, or online. Language courses may also be renewed up to 8 times.

Renewals are not allowed on DVD's.

You can only renew an item if it has not been reserved by another library customer. You have to pay the loan fees on CDs and language courses for each time you renew them.

You may reserve any book, CD, DVD or language course that either appears in our catalogue or that you have come across elsewhere.

If the item you want is on our catalogue, you can reserve it by either completing a reservation card, using a library catalogue PC or online.

If the item is not in our catalogue you must complete a reservation card when you visit a library.

A fee is payable on all reservations made, although this is less if you do the reservation yourself via a library PC or the Internet.

You cannot normally reserve new release feature films on DVD.

This depends on what you have reserved and its availability. We hope to supply items that are listed in our catalogue quickly.

If you have reserved an item that is not in our catalogue we will have to try and borrow it from another library authority or buy a copy. This will take longer. If the item you have reserved is not published or released in this country there may be a lengthy wait.

Books are free, as is use of our computers, access to the 24/7 Library, many courses and use of our reference libraries (including asking questions of the staff!). However, we do charge for CDs, DVDs, audio books and non-English language courses, and there are charges for returning your books or other items after the due date.

The basic rate of overdue charges is 25p per day per item. You have to pay this on all books, CDs, Talking Books and Language Courses. For DVD's, you have to pay the original loan charge for each period or part of a period they are overdue.

Follow this link for further details of library fees & charges.

Westminster residents over the age of 60 or who are on Income Support, Working Families Tax Credit, Housing Benefit or Job Seekers Allowance may claim concessions on some library charges. Any customer (regardless of where they live) may claim concessions if they receive Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disabled Person's Tax Credit, Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. You will be asked to show appropriate documentary proof to claim concessions.

ResCard and WCC Staffcard discounts apply on some charges and Westminster Libraries Visually Impaired Person's Card (VIP) holders may claim free services where appropriate.

All of our libraries have computer access. They are equipped with Microsoft Office, which includes Word as well as Excel, Access and Powerpoint, and have access to the internet. This is a powerful collection of software to answer all regular office needs. Most of these computers will also provide access to the Internet. Use of these computers may be booked in advance and there will be limitations on the time allowed.

Using the Internet and all the other computer facilities in the library is free of charge for one hour per day (across all libraries). You can pay for an additional hour if you need extra time. You do need to pay for print outs, and if you want to use the special facilities of the Open Learning Centre you need to pay a membership fee (see the Open Learning Centre pages for further details).

Members can use the computers for a maximum of two hours per day, the second of which is chargeable. As demand is high it's a good idea to book a slot, which you can do up to one week in advance. For access to this service just ask a member of staff for a password.

Yes, all the libraries in Westminster offer black & white photocopying facilities. Some also provide colour photocopiers - see the photocopying facilities page for more details. The copying is self-service, and must be compliant with copyright restrictions.

As well as Mayfair Library, meeting rooms can be hired in Church Street Library and in the City Archives. 

As well as these rooms it is possible to reserve group study space in Westminster Reference Library.

If you need to know about other rooms to hire in Westminster, you can search the Community Information Database using the keywords 'halls for hire'.

If you can't come to us, we may be able to come to you. For more information, contact the Home Library Service.

All jobs in Westminster Libraries which are open for public application are advertised through out website (see Job Vacancies in Libraries). 

Young children must have an accompanying adult with them all the time they are in the library. Staff cannot be held responsible for the safety of unaccompanied children at any time. Please do not leave your children alone in the library.