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Deaf and hard of hearing
There is a Special Collection on Deafness (PDF, 83KB), which includes material on British Sign Language, and a catalogue is available. Visit our deaf and hard of hearing web page for further information on services and equipment such as Minicom text phones.

Disabilities
Wheelchair access is provided in all libraries, except at Prestbury, where adaptation would be extremely difficult.  All libraries with more than one public floor have lifts.

Special facilities are available for visually impaired people and induction loops are in most libraries for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Special resources include large print and talking books available in all libraries. Some of our larger libraries have additional resources such as Supernova.

There is a special collection of books and other materials for children with special needs, as well as basic skills collections for adults who would like to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

We also offer a Books on Wheels service for those who are unable to visit a library themselves. Please ask at your local library or phone 0300 123 8 123.

The Arts Service provides information on disability arts, including an accessible arts toolkit.

DVDs
DVDs are available from libraries for loan on a weekly basis. There is a charge for this service. The current charges are listed on the Library Charges page, and are on display in all libraries.

Education Library Service
The Education Library Service in Winsford stores and delivers a wide range of resources for Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Special schools to support the curriculum and literacy development. It is open throughout the year for teachers, governors and educational personnel and provides a mobile library service to primary and special schools. There is a specialist collection of leaflets, videos, CD-ROMS and books to support governor training.

Elderly People’s Homes
Special provision is made to supply collections of books to numerous residential homes and day centres.  Please contact your local library for further details, or visit our additional services for older people web page.

Emails
All our libraries have People’s Network computers. You can send and receive emails. Computers may be booked for one hour a day free of charge. 

Europe Direct Cheshire
Europe Direct Cheshire is part of a network of centres throughout the European Union, giving citizens easy access to information on all aspects of the European Union's activities and how these affect their daily lives. It also gives citizens the opportunity to send feedback to the EU.

We have leaflet information on a wide range of subjects, including travelling and working in Europe, funding opportunities, facts and figures, European legislation and directives. You can see the range of leaflets in the Europe Direct binder (PDF, 36KB), which is available at our larger libraries.  You can find more information on the Europe Direct website.

Exhibitions
Some libraries offer free exhibition spaces and facilities for display. These are very popular and frequently booked up well into the future. The library will arrange insurance of exhibits - all we ask in return is 10% commission plus VAT on items sold.  We also have meeting rooms and tea and coffee making facilities for community groups and businesses.

If you wish to use these facilities, please contact your local library for details.

Family History
Family history research has become very popular and larger libraries have access to many materials to help with family history research.  As well as the traditional book sources, some libraries have copies of the local IGI (International Genealogical Index), trade directories (eg Kelly's), census materials etc. Further family history resources can be found online and you can book time on the public access computers available in all Cheshire libraries.  Ancestry.com Library Edition is available for use on library computers only via our Virtual Reference Library. For further information contact your local library.

Fax
You can send and receive faxes at most libraries. There is a charge for this service. The current charges are listed on the Library Charges page, and are on display in all libraries.

Fines
Fines are charged for items returned late to the library.  Fines can be avoided by renewing items by phone at any library, on the 24 hour renewal line 0845 148 0148, by post, on the library catalogue, by email or in person.  Current fine prices are listed on the Library Charges page, and are on display in all libraries.

Foreign Language Fiction
Cheshire libraries hold a selection of fiction titles in foreign languages. Our foreign language fiction list (PDF, 313KB) shows details of the titles by language and the libraries where they are held.

Information Points
We have five Information Points in Cheshire West and Chester; Chester Library, Ellesmere Port Library, Neston Library, Northwich Library and Winsford Library.  Staff can assist with many queries and can link you directly to any Council Service if necessary.  They can also help you to contact other public services.  You may visit an Information Point in person during the library's normal opening hours.

Internet – see Computers

Joining the library
Joining the library is free for everyone young or old!  Simply complete the online registration form or pop into a library. When joining in person, or using the library for the first time if you joined online, you will need to bring along an item of identification. It must show your name and address, for example: Driving Licence, receipted Gas, Water, Phone, Council Tax, Electricity Bill or Bank Statement.

Once you have joined you can use your library card in all Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East Libraries.  You will also have access to our People's Network computers, which are free to use for one hour each day. Terms and conditions of use (PDF, 54KB) apply.

Joining if you are under 16...
You can either be accompanied by your parent or carer who must bring along one form of identification and sign your joining form OR your parent or guardian can sign your form at home and send the necessary identification with you.

If you would like to use our People's Network computers you will need your parent or carer to sign a parental consent form (PDF, 54KB). The computers are free to use for one hour each day. Terms and conditions of use (PDF, 54 KB) apply.

Once you have joined you can use your Library Card in all Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East Libraries.

Large Print books
All libraries in Cheshire have a selection of books printed in large type to make reading easier and more comfortable for those with poor eyesight. If you require a particular title, please ask the staff for assistance or search the library catalogue. Reservations of large print books are free for people who have difficulty reading standard print.

Leaflet Service
Whatever you need to know, we probably have a leaflet all about it!  Whether you need information about money, measles, seat belts or suntans, see the Leaflet Index online or at your local library. The staff will ensure that a leaflet is posted to you from our central supply free of charge.  Pop into your local library to find out what's available.

LEARN partnership
The Libraries for Educational Access Regional Network (LEARN) is a partnership between all the public library authorities, the University of Chester and many of the colleges across Cheshire, Warrington, Halton and Wirral. If you are registered at any of the libraries in the partnership you can access the other libraries in the scheme for reference and study purposes.

Leisure Card
If you receive one or more eligible benefits or rebates you can save money on library services with a Cheshire Leisure Card. Just take one form of identity and proof of your benefit or rebate received to your local Cheshire library. Your Leisure Card doubles up as your library membership card allowing you to borrow films, music, games and talking books for less. If your partner qualifies for a Cheshire Leisure Card, you can also apply using your partner's documentation plus a jointly named document such as a rent book, Council Tax bill or bank book. For terms and conditions ask at the library.

Local Studies
Most libraries have some material relating to their immediate locality. Larger libraries have books, pamphlets, trade directories, maps and, on microfilm, local newspapers, census returns and parish registers. The Central Collection, the main collection of books and pamphlets relating to the county is kept at the Cheshire Record Office, which has an online Local Studies catalogue covering the full range of local history sources, both in Cheshire Libraries and at the Record Office, and Picture Cheshire, our main collection of digital images. 

Lost Library Cards
If you lose your library membership card it is worth checking whether it has been handed in at your local library. There is a charge for a replacement adult card at any computerised library, including Mobile libraries. If you need a replacement card you will need to bring one form of identification to your library. The replacement charges can found on the Library Charges page.

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