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Somerset Libraries are members of LibrariesWest, meaning you can also access stock held by libraries in Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol City, South Gloucestershire, Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
With your Somerset Libraries membership, you can find, renew and request items online through the LibrariesWest website or app, and our staff can help you at any of our libraries.
Finding an item
Browse our extensive catalogue of books, audiobooks, DVDs and more.
You can search the catalogue by:
- title
- author/composer/artist
- ISBN / ISSN
- Subject or keyword, if you are not sure of the title.
Use filters to narrow your search, or to browse through a particular genre or media type. With around 2.5 million items to choose from, we’re sure to have something you would like to borrow.
Reserving an item
You can reserve any of the items we loan by placing a request online or at a library. You can log onto the LibrariesWest website with your library membership number and PIN, use the LibrariesWest app, or ask a member of staff to help you at your local library. You can ask for the item to be sent for collection at whichever library is most convenient for you.
We will notify you by email, text, or post as soon as the item is available for collection. Email is the quickest method for us to use. If you would like to be notified by email please check with a member of staff that we have your email address when we place your reservation, or make sure you have email notifications set up on the website or app.
There is a non-refundable admin fee for reservations. Children may request up to 6 children’s books or audiobooks at a time free of charge. Items must be requested on a child’s membership card to qualify for the free request. We also provide large print books for people with visual impairment free of charge. See our fees and charges page for full information about all costs.
To reserve multiple copies of performance material or play scripts from the Performing Arts Library, please see the Performing Arts Library page for more information. Music sets can be borrowed on extended loan for rehearsal and performance. Drama sets can be borrowed for readings only.
Collecting your item
Your item will be held at the library you selected for 14 days. It may take a few days for a postal notification to arrive, so we recommend email or text notifications. If you have not collected the item by the due date it will be made available to other borrowers. If the material is borrowed from outside the LibrariesWest group, we will try to contact you to check if it is still required before we return it.
When you visit the library to collect the reserved item, please bring your membership card and PIN. If you have asked someone else to collect a reserved item for you, please ask them to take your membership card and the notification email, text or letter. Staff may ask that person for evidence of their identity and address, such as their library membership card or driving licence.
Renewing an item
You can renew library items online up to ten times without bringing them to the library provided no one else has requested them.
If the item you wish to renew is already due for return but has been requested by another borrower, you may be able to renew it for just two or three days to give you time to return it. Phone us on 0300 123 2224 to arrange this.
You can renew items by:
- using the LibrariesWest website (library card number and PIN needed)
- using a People’s Network computer in the library (library card number and PIN needed)
- using the LibrariesWest mobile app
- returning them to the library for reissue or renewal
- informing the library by post
- phoning Somerset Libraries on 0300 123 2224
Requesting an item
Our library catalogue includes items that are in stock across the whole of the LibrariesWest. If the item isn’t in stock in Somerset or with any other member, you can still request it. We will consider purchasing a copy if appropriate, or we will try to get a copy from another library in the UK through the Inter-Library Loan system. Fill in the Inter Library request form on the LibrariesWest website, speak to a member of staff or email us your request.