Information about libraries and library services in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: Can I buy discarded library stock? |
| Library books, audio books and music CDs which are no longer required are sold to the public. 'FOR SALE' items are on display in most libraries during some of the year. Ask your local library staff for details. |
| Q: Can I get a longer loan period on my library items to cover my holiday? |
| You can apply for a holiday extension to cover the period you are on holiday. |
| Q: Can I lend library items to other people? |
| If you lend an item you have borrowed from the library to another person, and they don't return it, you will be liable to pay any fines or the cost of replacement. |
| Q: Can I only borrow items from the library where I registered? |
| You can borrow library items from any library within the Council boundaries, but you will have to register with each library service. |
| Q: Can I see backdated issues of newspapers at the library? |
| Yes, you can usually see recent issues of newspapers at the library. Old newspapers may be available in the archive. |
| Q: Can I send/receive a fax at my local library? |
| Yes, most libraries will let you send and receive faxes for a small fee. |
| Q: Can I still borrow items from the library if I am housebound? |
| If you are housebound, staff from the mobile libraries can bring the items you have requested to your door for you. |
| Q: Can I use the library if I'm just visiting? |
| Yes, you can use the library if you are only visiting the area. If you wish to borrow items but only intend to visit once or for a limited period then a temporary limited membership may be given on production of your home libary card or by making a cash deposit at the prevailing rate as guarantee of return of borrowed material. If you want to use the internet, you can do so for free, but there is a small charge for printing. |
| Q: Do I have to be a member of the library before I use it? |
| You need to have membership before you can borrow anything from the library or book and use the computers regularly. However, you don't have to be a member to browse the books, or use other facilities at the library. |
| Q: Do I have to return items to the library I borrowed them from? |
| No, you can return your library items to any library within this council's area. |
| Q: Do I need a separate membership for taking out CDs, Videos or DVDs? |
| Ordinary library membership covers books, CDs, videos, DVDs, talking books and cassettes. There is a £1.00 charge for registration of the video/DVD library. |
| Q: Do the libraries have rooms available for meetings? |
| No. |
| Q: Do the mobile libraries charge for items that are returned late? |
| There is no charge. |
| Q: Do you have bus timetables at my local library? |
| Yes, local bus timetables are in all our libraries. |
| Q: Does it cost me anything to borrow from the library? |
| It does not cost anything to borrow books from the library. You'll have to pay a small sum to borrow CDs, videos, DVDs, but charges are reasonable and hire periods are for longer than from video hire shops. |
| Q: Does the library have a photocopier I can use? |
| Yes, you can use a photocopier at your local library. There is a small charge for photocopying. |
| Q: How can I use the library if I can't get to it? |
| If you can't physically get to your local library, you can use the mobile library, or you can request books and we will deliver them to your door via the mobile libary. |
| Q: How do I renew my library books online? |
| Renew your library books online by using your library membership number and pin number. Please ask for a pin number from Stornoway or Shawbost library only. |
| Q: How much does it cost to join the library? |
| Joining the library is free. |
| Q: How old do I have to be to join the library? |
| There is no age restriction on joining the library. Anyone can join, whatever their age. |
| Q: If I borrow something from the library van, can I return it to a library or do I have to return it to the van? |
| You can return a library item to any library within the council's boundary, as well as the library van. |
| Q: If we return children's books late, do they incur a fine? |
| There is no fine for children's books that are returned late. |
| Q: What books can the library offer to visually impaired people? |
| The libraries offer a selection of large print and talking books. |
| Q: What can I borrow from the library? |
| You can borrow all sorts of books, CDs, videos, DVDs and languages courses from the library, for children and for adults. |
| Q: What happens if I don't return items to the library before their due date? |
| If you keep items from the library beyond their due date, you will need to pay a fine for each week over the due date that it is not returned. Videos/DVDs incur a 50p per day fine from the first day overdue, up to a maximum of £5.00 each for both adult and children's videos/DVDs if borrowed on an adult card. |
| Q: What if you don't have what I want in my local library? |
| If we don't have what you want you can request the item for a small charge. If we don't have it in our own stock, we may get it from another library, or we may purchase it for stock. Videos/DVDs and recorded sound may only be reserved if they are already in library stock. |
| Q: When will I know that a library item that I have requested is available? |
| The Library Service will post a notice to you telling you when the item you have requested is available for collection. |
| Q: What happens to an item I've requested, if I don't pick it up after I'm notified it is available for collection from the library? |
| If you do not pick it up within a certain time, the item will be made available to the next person who has requested it, or it will be made available for general loan if nobody else has requested it. |
For further information about any of the services provided by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, please contact us on 01851 703773 or by e-mail at
enquiries@cne-siar.gov.uk
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar,
Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis,
HS1 2BW.
Tel: 01851 703773
Fax: 01851 705349 e-mail: enquiries@cne-siar.gov.uk
© Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 2007, 2008, 2009
