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Join us - become a library member

Start borrowing today when you join Inspire Nottinghamshire Libraries. It’s completely free and gives you access to a range of other benefits and services.

Join online by completing our joining form, then visit any Nottinghamshire library with suitable identification quoting your temporary membership number. You can also join at your local library or via Ask Inspire. 

With your Inspire Nottinghamshire library membership you can: 

  • Borrow up to 24 items at any one time – most items can be kept for up to 3 weeks. 

  • Use our eLibrary and download eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers for free. 

  • Reserve items for a small, non-refundable fee*.

  • Renew items up to 4 times. Charges may be incurred if returned or renewed late*. 

  • Borrow and return books at any Nottinghamshire or Nottingham City Library. 

  • Use the computers and Wi-Fi in libraries for free.

  • Use printers and photocopiers in all our libraries*.

  • Use online resources, databases and research services for free. 

  • Browse and borrow professional-recommended health titles, plus borrow resources including Wellbeing Bags and Memory Lane Bags to support the wellbeing of you and your family. 

  • Enjoy discounted tickets to selected events in our libraries, including upcoming family theatre shows. 

  • Access Ancestry for FREE while in an Inspire building 

  • Join our Inspire Society to have your say on how Inspire is run, including the opportunity to stand for election on Inspire’s board.  

When you join the library we will ask for some personal information. This is so that we can create and manage your library membership. View the Inspire Privacy Policy to find out more about how that information is used. *See our Fees and Charges.

  • Membership is free to everyone.
  • Children and young people under 15 can  join but will need permission from a parent or carer.
  • People who live in Nottinghamshire and the surrounding authorities including Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire are all able to become members.
  • If you’re a member of Nottinghamshire Libraries, our membership allows you to use any library in Nottinghamshire or Nottingham City.
  • People visiting Nottinghamshire for a fixed period of time can also join in person, with a temporary membership.

  • You can have up to 24 items on loan at any one time. 

  • Items can be borrowed for up to three weeks at a time, with the exception of One Week Loan titles. 

  • Items can be reserved from other Nottinghamshire and Nottingham City libraries for a small non-refundable charge of 30p per item. 

If you need to keep an item a little longer, it’s usually possible to renew it. You can renew items up to four times.

To renew items, log in to your online account with your card number and PIN.

If you need any help with renewing your items, contact Ask Inspire by phone on 01623 677 200 or visit your local library. 

If you are unable to visit us for health reasons , and you would like to access our ELibrary: 

  • Email your name and temporary number to ask@inspireculture.org.uk 
  • Our Ask Inspire team will send you your membership number, and will send your physical library card in the post to your quoted address 

  • Log in to access our fantastic eLibrary  including thousands of titles on eBook and eAudio

If an item isn't in your local library you can ask to place a reservation by completing a card in the library or by reserving online. A charge will be made for this service. We will aim to satisfy your reservation as soon as possible, however certain items do attract a very high number of reservations. Our standard is to buy additional copies if there are more than five reservations per copy.

If items are unavailable within the county we can often get them from elsewhere in the UK via our inter-library loan service. There is a fee of £6 for this, in addition to the standard 30p reservation charge. Please ask at your local library for more information.

Most of our services are free of charge. However, there are small charges and fees for some of our services.

View our list of charges and fees here

Nottinghamshire libraries have been assessed for disabled access. Everyone can use the libraries at ground level, however some libraries are awaiting ramps or other modifications to reach the upper floors. Please ask a member of staff for help if you have difficulty accessing any of the services because of the library layout. 

We’re proud to hold accreditation for our libraries including Age Friendly, Dementia Friends and Breastfeeding Friendly. If you encounter any problems during your visit, please speak to a member of staff who will be happy to help.  

Information on the accessibility of specific libraries can be found in the list of libraries.

If you are unable to visit your local library, we can arrange for books to be brought to you by our  Home Library Service. We have volunteers around the county who are able to collect books, including reserved items, from your local library and deliver right to your doorstep.

For more information on how to apply for this service, please follow the links above or contact Ask Inspire on 01623 677 200.

If you would be interested in becoming one of our excellent volunteers, please check out our Community Makers website, or contact volunteer@inspireculture.org.uk

Acceptable Use Policy: You can view our Acceptable Use Policy on the document below: 

Acceptable Use Policy