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1. Why are we introducing reservation charges?
We are introducing reservation charges to cover the administrative and transportation costs associated with reservations. This fee supports to maintain a reliable reservation service and commitment to environmental sustainability by encouraging thoughtful reservation practices, which minimise waste and improve resource efficiency. It will also enable more stock to be available in libraries and reduce uncollected reservations.
2. When will the new reservation charges be implemented?
The new reservation charges will be implemented from 22nd April 2026 onwards. Any reservations placed before this date will not be charged.
3. Will the charges apply to all reservations?
The charges will apply to all reservations by Adult Library Cardholders and on all categories of physical items including books, large print, spoken word, DVDs, CDs etc.
Reservation charges do not apply to eBooks or digital audiobooks.
4. Will charges apply to all library locations, including the mobile library?
Yes, charges apply to reservations for all library locations, including the mobile library. Customers with an exempt card type will not be charged.
5. What is the charge?
The reservation charge is £1.15 per item.
6. Will I be charged for borrowing a book?
Borrowing books remains free, we will only charge for reservations.
7. What membership types does the reservation fee apply to?
Reservation charges apply to Adult and Staff Card users. All concessionary membership types are exempt including:
· All Children Memberships
· Teens and Young Adults Memberships; Young people up to and including the age of 17. From their eighteenth birthday, customers are treated as adult members
· Home Library Service users
· Friends and Carers
· Home Reader
· Book groups
· Memory support Cardholders
· Access Cardholders
· Secondary School Teacher, Playgroup / Nursery Memberships
· Sanctuary Memberships
· Provisional Adult
8. I think I am eligible for a concessionary membership. How do I apply for this?
If you think you may be eligible for a concessionary membership, please visit your local library, where staff can help check your eligibility and update your membership.
9. How is this different from the previous policy?
Previously, reservations made online and through the app were free of charge. Under the new policy, a charge will be applied to all reservations by adult members.
10. How many books can you reserve?
You can reserve up to 20 items, however, if you accrue charges of £10 or more your account will be blocked until you have paid.
11. How can reservation charges be paid?
The charge will be added to your account, which you can pay via the following ways:
· online through your account on the website or app
· when you collect the book you can pay at the self-serve kiosk or at the library staff desk – please note some libraries do not accept cash.
· If collecting the item from another library in the consortium, you will not be able to pay for the item at that consortium library and will either have to pay online or at an Essex library.
12. What will happen if the reservation charge is not paid?
If you don’t pay the charge, your account will be blocked from being used if charges exceed £10. Therefore, we recommend you pay as you go so it does not affect the use of your library membership.
13. Are reservation charges refundable?
All reservations are non-refundable, and charges will not be waived. Once you have made a reservation, the administration and transportation costs are quickly incurred by the service, and therefore if you cancel the reservation, you will still be charged. The only reason we will refund or waive the charge is if we are unable to get the item.
14. If I cancel a reservation before it goes “in transit”, will I still be charged?
Yes. Staff time and administrative work begin as soon as a reservation is placed, so the charge still applies.
15. Will I have to pay again if I renew a reserved book?
No. There is no charge for renewals.
16. Why not charge for uncollected reservations?
This option was reviewed, however this would only recover a small proportion of the reservation service costs.
17. How much does the reservation service cost?
Transportation costs alone are just under £300,000 per year. The reservation charge is expected to generate around £150,000, so it will only partially cover these costs. Administration costs are largely staff time based and cannot be accurately quantified.
18. Is this change about generating profit?
No. The cost of delivering the reservation service is significantly higher than the income expected from the charge.
19. Why do reservations seems to take longer?
The average time for a reservation to be satisfied is 38 days. Delivery times depend on factors such as demand for the item and how far it needs to travel within or outside the county. Work is ongoing to improve delivery speeds.
20. Is there a plan to rotate library books?
Yes. Libraries already receive new stock and circulate items regularly. We are exploring ways to increase stock circulation further and are reviewing stock policies to improve variety across libraries.
21. What will determine which books are stored in each library?
Decisions will be informed by local borrowing data, popular authors and genres, and wider collection management practices to ensure the best possible mix of stock across the network. Further information is available on our stock policy.
22. What percentage of our books are reserved?
On average, 20% of books borrowed from Essex Libraries each year are reserved items.
23. How does this change support environmental sustainability?
The introduction of this charge is part of our broader strategy to reduce our environmental footprint. By encouraging thoughtful reservation practices, we aim to minimise transportation and make more efficient use of our resources.
24. Who do I contact if with questions or concerns?
Please speak to your local library staff, if you have any questions or concerns.
If you wish to submit a formal enquiry or complaint, you can do this via the Essex County Council website: essex.gov.uk/contact-us.
Alternatively, you can make an enquiry via Livechat or our online enquiry form via the Essex Libraries website: libraries.essex.gov.uk/ or by emailing information.enquiry@essex.gov.uk.