It's free to become a member of the library, and it's free to borrow books.

All libraries stock books for adults and children, audio books and items in large print. Larger libraries also stock Language Packs, DVDs, Videos, CDs and Console Games. There is a charge for the hire of these items. See Fees and Charges for further details.

Borrowers with full membership can borrow up to 16 items at a time (up to 8 of which can be films, music CDs and DVDs).

If you can't find what you are looking for, you can request it to be delivered to the library of your choice, and it's now free if you place the request online.

Go to Reserving Items for details.

Loan Periods

Books and audio books are loaned for three weeks (less fastback Collections). The overdue charge is at a daily rate.

Overdue items are charged from the closing time of the library on the day the item is due back. However, items can be returned to any of Swindon's Libraries, and you can also renew items online before they become overdue. See Renew your loans for how to do this.

DVDs, Videos, CDs and Console Games are loaned for one week and are charged at a weekly re-hire rate from the first day overdue.

Language Packs - there are special loan periods for Language Packs, please ask staff for details.

See Fees and Charges.

Renewing your loans

Books and audio books may be renewed up to 4 times (if there are no requests for the item and are not part of the FastBack collections).

Items can be renewed by:

• Using the online library catalogue.
• Visiting any library
• Telephoning any library
• Sending an email to any library

Returning your loans

You can return your loans to any library in Swindon. See Library Locations for a list of all our libraries.

Special Collections

Raw Books

Short books for people who want to improve their reading skills.

Choose a Quick Read  if you are looking for an exciting, fast-paced read.

Suggestions for further reading  

Graphic Novels

These are in a comic strip style for readers over sixteen. We have new collections at Highworth and Liden libraries and have added new stock to collections at Central, Moredon, Park and West Swindon libraries.

FastBacks Collection

The very latest new titles available for one week loan only (no renewals). Click here for more details.

Books in other languages

On the first floor of the Central Library there are collections of books in Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu.  North Swindon and West Swindon Libraries also have collections of books in Polish.  These collections are changed every six months.

Deaf Awareness

There is a collection at the Central Library which includes a number of videos in British Sign Language which are free to borrow.

Public Lending Right

Did you know that authors have the right to receive payment for loans of their books from public libraries?  It's called Public Lending Right (PLR) and this year marks its 30^th birthday. Public libraries are joining the PLR office in celebrating 30 years of support for authors. Find out more at

www.plr.uk.com/index.htm