Join the Library

Joining the Library

To join Milton Keynes Libraries you only need some ID with your name and signature on it (like a bank card). You'll be signed up straight away and given your library card to sign and a PIN. You can change your PIN when you manage your account online.

As a library member you'll be able to:

• borrow up to 3 items
• use the public computers free for 30 minutes each day
• access online resources
• borrow eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines

When you become a member of Milton Keynes Libraries you can borrow items from any of the nine libraries and items can be renewed at or returned to any library.

Related Information:

• Upgrading Your Membership
• Proof of Address/ID/Signature
• Libraries Xtra Membership
• Joining the Library Online
• Membership Terms and Conditions
• If your personal details change
• Renewing your library membership
• What to do if your library card is lost or stolen
• Would you like to receive library notices by email?
• Your Library PIN
• Membership Categories

Upgrading Your Membership

If you'd like to upgrade your membership, you can visit any library with proof of your address. You would then be able to:

• borrow up to 15 items
• use the public computers free for 30 minutes each day
• access online resources
• borrow eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines
• borrow stock from our SELMS partner libraries (over 6 million items)

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ID and Proof of Address

Bring one of the following documents to a library. Electronic or paper versions are acceptable but it must show both your name and address. The document must be dated within the last 3 months. 

• utility bill
• bank statement
• rent book or tenancy agreement
• benefit/government documentation
• other official document
• photo driving licence

If you haven't already got a library card, you will also need something with your signature on it (like a bank card).

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Libraries Xtra Membership

Libraries Xtra is our way of giving you access to Kingston Library and Westcroft Library during extended hours. You can use your library card to enter the buildings beyond the staffed hours and use the library.

To register for the Libraries Xtra scheme you will need to upgrade your membership by visiting Kingston Library or Westcroft Library and speaking with a member of staff. 

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Joining the Library Online

Once you complete the online registration you'll be given a temporary borrower number which is valid for 3 months. You'll be able to reserve items from the online catalogue.

Within 3 months of creating your online membership, you'll need to bring the correct ID to one of our libraries. We'll then issue you a library card and PIN. Once you have your card you'll be able to:

• borrow library items
• use the public computers free for 30 minutes each day
• access online resources
• borrow eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines

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Library Membership Terms and Conditions

By becoming a member of Milton Keynes Libraries and signing your library card you agree to:

• be responsible for all items borrowed using your card
• pay for any loss, damage or other chargers incurred
• the above conditions even if the card is lost or stolen (up to the point that you report the loss or theft to the library)

Points to Remember

• You will need to have your card present for any transaction. 
• Your library card should only be used by you. It is not transferable.
• Please remember to tell your local library if any of your personal details change, for example, your address, telephone number or email address.
• You do not have to be registered with the library to use the Reference and Information service.

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If Your Personal Details Change

We need to know.  We keep the details of your membership in our database, but we will ask you to confirm the information from time to time, particularly if you have moved.

If you have moved since you joined the library you'll need to confirm the old address on our records and show proof of your new address. Your record will be updated and you can start borrowing straight away.

To keep your records up to date, please also tell us if anything else changes, like your telephone number, email address or if you change your name.

You can update your details online by logging into your account with your library card and PIN.

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Renewing your Membership

We keep the details of your membership in our database, but we will need to ask you to confirm the information from time to time, particularly if you have not used your card for a while.

You will be asked to confirm the address we have on our records. If you have moved since you joined the library you'll need to show proof of your new address. You may be asked to provide proof of signature too.

Your membership record will be updated and you can start borrowing straight away.

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Lost, Stolen or Damaged Library Cards

Until you notify the library that your card is missing, any items borrowed on your card remain your responsibility.

You can email us to report your library card lost. Please provide your name, address and postcode. As soon as we can, we'll mark the card as 'Reported Lost' until you next visit a library with ID and choose to reinstate or replace your card.

There's a £3 charge for replacing a library card.

If your card has been stolen and reported to the police, you can present your Police Crime Number to library staff and you won't be charged for the replacement.

You'll need to visit the library with relevant proof of address/ID to receive your replacement card. Your replacement card will be issued immediately and you can start borrowing straight away.

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Library Notices and News by Email

We can email you library notices and information which include:

• renewal reminders - reminding you a few days before your items are due back
• reservation notifications - telling you when the item you've reserved is ready for collection
• loan receipts - emailing you a list of items you've just borrowed (instead of printing a receipt)

PLEASE NOTE: These notices are a courtesy service only and it is still your responsibility to return your items by the due date.

How to set up the Library emailing service:
You will need your library card number and PIN to Log in to My Library

• Go to the 'Personal Details' section to check that we have your current email address. You can change your email address at this point.
• Choose your nearest library from the drop down menu.
• Tick both boxes if you would like to receive library notices and library information by email.
• To receive an email record of your loans, choose your preference from the 'Receipt Preference' box.
• Remember to click on 'Update' to save the changes you have made and log out.

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Your Library PIN

You need a four digit PIN and your library card number for certain services. Please remember that you need to have your card present for any transaction. 

• renew or reserve library items
• use Libraries Xtra
• access your free computer sessions at libraries
• manage your account online

You can choose to receive an email warning that your books are due back and then it's easy to renew items if you need to keep them longer.

Lost or forgotten your PIN?  How do I apply for a PIN?

If you don't know your library PIN but we have your email address on record, you can use the 'Forgot Your PIN' option on the 'My Library' screen. Enter your library card number and surname and we will email you your PIN.

If you don’t have an email address (or we don’t have it on record) please contact your local library either in person or by phone to get your PIN. You'll need to have your library card number to do this.

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Membership Categories:

Different criteria for joining the library may apply to specific memberships. Select the category for further information:

• Adults and Over 16s
• Children Under 16
• Basic Skills and ESOL Students
• Foster Carers
• Pre School Playgroups
• Reading Group Co-ordinators
• Registered Childminders
• Visually Impaired

Adults and Over 16s

You can join at any library and someone will be available to help you.

Library Membership:

• To join Milton Keynes Libraries you only need some ID with your name and signature on it (like a bank card). You'll be signed up straight away and given your library card to sign and a PIN.
• You can join online if you prefer but you'll need to visit a library with ID before you can borrow items.
• If you're between 16 and 18 years old you'll need your own ID/proof of address and proof of your age.
• If you are under 16 years of age, your parent or guardian will need to be with you and show their ID/proof of address. 

Once you've registered, you'll be given your library card and PIN and you can borrow items, download eAudiobooks, eBooks, eMagazines and access online resources from your home computer straight away. Please remember that you will need to have your card present for any transaction. 

Please remember to tell your local library if any of your personal details change like your address, telephone number or email address.

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Children Under 16

We welcome new members and anyone can join Milton Keynes Libraries. There is no age limit and you can join for FREE at any library in Milton Keynes. Someone will be available to help you.

Junior Membership:

• You'll need to visit a library to register and if you're under 16 years old, you'll need an adult guarantor (preferably your parent/carer) with you to show their ID/proof of their address.
• There is no lower age limit - parents are encouraged to join their babies early.
• If you can't make it into the library, your adult guarantor can register you to join, but they'll need to bring proof of your identity (like a birth certificate or passport).
• If you're between 16 and 18 years old you'll need your own ID/proof of address and proof of your age.
• Parents will need to provide parental consent for children to access the public computers.

Once you've registered, you'll be given your library card and PIN and you can borrow items, download eAudiobooks, eBooks, eMagazines and access online resources from your home computer straight away. Please remember that you will need to have your card present for any transaction. 

Please remember to tell your local library if any of your (or your child's) personal details change like your address, telephone number or email address.

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Basic Skills and ESOL Students

You can join at any library in Milton Keynes and someone will be available to help.

If you are attending a Community Learning MK (CLMK) Basic Skills or English for Speakers of Other Languages course you can join the library in the following way:

• Go to your local library accompanied by your Community Learning MK tutor, we will not ask for any proof of identity or address from you as Community Learning MK already has your contact details on file.
• Go to your local library on your own and take a letter which includes your name and address from Community Learning MK and confirms that you are booked on to a Basic Skills course such as Literacy or ESOL, we will use this as proof of your identity and address and not ask to see anything else.

Once you've registered, you'll be given your library card and PIN and you can borrow items, download eAudiobooks, eBooks, eMagazines and access online resources from your home computer straight away. Please remember that you will need to have your card present for any transaction. 

Please remember to tell your local library if any of your personal details change like your address, telephone number or email address.

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BookShare for Foster Carers

To help you support the children in your care with their learning, Milton Keynes Libraries offers a special library card for foster carers. The items borrowed on this card are specifically to support the child/young person’s learning needs.

• Library membership is free.
• Your card entitles you to borrow up to 25 items. Four of these can be storybooks on CD at no charge, for the children in your care. Please note that library staff are not permitted to allow you more than the 4 items.
• Foster carers are not charged fines, but you should ensure that books are returned or renewed on time.
• You can get a foster carer's library card from any library in Milton Keynes.
• To register you must take your foster carer's identity letter and ID to the library.

Once you've registered, you'll be given your library card and PIN and you can borrow items, download eAudiobooks, eBooks, eMagazines and access online resources from your home computer straight away. Please remember that you will need to have your card present for any transaction. 

Please remember:

• To tell your local library if any of your personal details change like your address, telephone number or email address.
• If your library card is lost or stolen you must notify the library as soon as possible because until we are notified you remain responsible for any items borrowed on your card.
• You and the children can still have your own personal library cards entitling each of you to borrow 15 items on each card. This can include books for leisure reading and audiobooks - there is a charge for borrowing audiobooks.
• This service is provided by Milton Keynes Libraries and the Education Department working in partnership with Foster Carers/Parents and Looked after Children to encourage families learning together.

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Pre School Playgroups

You can choose from a fantastic range of board books, colourful picture books, enchanting story books and amazing fact books for children, and a wide range of childcare information books.

• Membership is free.
• Playgroup leaders can enrol the playgroup at any library in Milton Keynes.
• You must visit a library with proof that you work for a playgroup, such as a letter, and take proof of your own identity.

Once you've registered, you'll be given your library card and PIN and you'll be able to borrow up to 25 books. Please remember that you will need to have your card present for any transaction. 

Please remember to tell your local library if any of your personal details change like your address, telephone number or email address.

Please remember:

• The loan period is 3 weeks.
• Books can be renewed for a further period if not requested by other readers.
• Reservations for children's books are FREE.
• You remain responsible for any items borrowed on your card up to the point that you notify the library that your card has been lost or stolen.

Storytelling, holiday activities and help with choosing children's books are available at Milton Keynes Libraries. Visits by groups of children to the library are welcomed. Please contact us for more details.

We have a collection of over 250 large format picture books held at the Central Library and can be viewed on request. These books can be borrowed by playgroups and pre-schools for use with storytelling. The collection is restricted to 2 loans per group at a time and requests can be made for specific titles.

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Reading Group Co-ordinators

These guidelines on borrowing book sets are for reading group co-ordinators

Why should I register my group with the library?

Your Milton Keynes Reading Group card entitles you to:

• Borrow from the reading group book collection
• Pay no fines on reading group loans
• The reading group card ensures that your individual entitlement is not used for reading group purposes.

How do I get a reading group card?

• One person will need to act as guarantor for the group and be responsible for all items borrowed using the group’s card.
• They'll need to complete membership registration and show some current ID/proof of address and a copy of their signature.
• They can join at any library in Milton Keynes and someone will be available to help.

Please remember to tell your local library if any of your personal details change like your address, telephone number or email address.

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How do we borrow books?

Once they have completed an application form, the reading group co-ordinator is given the group’s library card. This card is then used to borrow sets from the reading group book collection. Please remember that you will need to have your card present for any transaction. 

• We currently have over 100 sets of reading group titles. Each set contains 10 copies of the same title. A large print and audiobook title may also be available on request.
• There is a hire charge for each set of books borrowed.
• We serve over 30 reading groups so you'll need to book titles well in advance.
• Please try to return all copies together.
• A list of the titles available can be viewed online or requested from your nearest library.
• We can try to obtain multiple copies of a title from normal library stock but we won't be able to do this for new and popular titles.

What if somebody doesn’t return a book?

• Missing and damaged items will need to be replaced or paid for and the guarantor will be responsible for this.
• For new groups or groups with members who don’t know each other very well it may be a good idea to have some sort of deposit scheme. For example the average cost of a paperback book is approximately £7. Members of a group could pay a deposit of £7 to be held by the guarantor. This would be refunded when they leave the group providing they had returned all items borrowed.

What if I leave the group?

• If you are the guarantor and you leave the group, you'll need to let the library know that you're no longer responsible for the ticket.
• If you pass the ticket to someone else without informing us, you'll still be held responsible for the items borrowed on that ticket.
• The new guarantor for the group will need to come into the library, fill out a group membership form and provide appropriate identification.
• The group ticket can be passed on once the library has been informed of a change.
• We'll put a stop on the ticket until the new guarantor has been in and registered.

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Registered Childminders

As a registered childminder, you can borrow from a fantastic range of board books, picture books, story books and fact books for children. We also have a wide range of childcare information books.

Joining the library is free. Registered childminders can enrol at any library in Milton Keynes. You must take with you proof that you are a registered childminder, such as a letter together with your ID/proof of address.

Once registered, you'll be given your library card and PIN. You can borrow up to 25 books straight away. Please remember that you will need to have your card present for any transaction. 

• You can borrow books for 3 weeks.
• Books may be renewed for a further period if not requested by other readers.
• Childminders are charged fines on books that are returned late.
• Reservations for children's books are FREE.
• If you lose or damage a borrowed item, please report this to the library as soon as possible.
• You remain responsible for any items borrowed on your card up to the point that you notify the library that your card has been lost or stolen.
• Details of storytelling and holiday activities at libraries in Milton Keynes can be found on our What's On web page.
• Visits by groups of children to the library are welcomed. Please contact us for more details.

Please remember to tell your local library if any of your personal details change like your address, telephone number or email address.

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Visually Impaired

• You must join the library before you can borrow items.
• Visually impaired members are exempt from most hire charges. We'll need to see a registration card or supporting letter from your doctor.
• You'll need to visit a library to register and show some ID/proof of address with your name on it.
• You can join at any library and someone will be available to help.

Once you've registered, you'll be given your library membership card and PIN and you can borrow library items, download eAudiobooks or access online databases from your home computer straight away. Please remember that you will need to have your card present for any transaction. 

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Last Updated: 30 September 2020