Leabharlainn nan Eilean Siar

Who Can Join?

Everyone! You can join the library at any age.  

How Much Does It Cost?

Nothing! It is free.

How Do I Join?

It's easy! Ask for a joining form at the library. Get it filled in and signed by your parent or guardian. You will then be given your library card and you can borrow books straight away. 

How Many Books Can I Have?

You can have up to six. 

How Long Am I Allowed To Keep Them?

For three weeks. Bring your books back on or before the last date on the label at the front of the book. If you want to keep them longer either bring them back to the library or telephone. We can let you keep the books for another three weeks if no-one else wants them.  

What If I Am Late?

When your books are late we will send you a letter to remind you. You won't have to pay a fine, but please try to bring them back on time so that other children can enjoy reading them too.

If you lose or damage a book let us know as soon as possible and we'll explain what you have to pay.  

What Sort Of Books Are There In The Library?

There are board books for babies, picture books, early readers, fairy stories and lots of fiction to enjoy.

There are non-fiction books on all sorts of subjects to help with your homework topics and hobbies. Some information books always stay in the library for people to use.

There are picture books, fiction and non-fiction in Gaelic.  

How Do I Find The Book I Want?

Picture books and board books are in kinderboxes.

Fiction books are in A-Z order by the author's surname. For example - for books by Roald Dahl look on the shelves under D.

To help you find the stories you enjoy we have lists of fiction grouped by subject. Subject booklists are animals, school, sport and spine-tingling. Teenage fiction is kept separately.

Non fiction books are arranged in number order. For example -

636.7, 636.8, 637 638

The numbers stand for subjects so all the books on the same subject will be together. Ask the librarian the number for the subject you want.  

Can I Ask For A Book To Be Kept For Me?

Yes! If the library does not have the book you want, we will try to get it for you. It may be out on loan, in another Western Isles library or we may buy it.

We will fill in a request postcard and this card will be sent to you when the book is ready to collect. There is a small charge for requesting a book. 

How Should I Look After My Library Books?