Finding your way around the library

When you arrive, you will walk through some external doors into the lobby, and then through a single door into the library.

The library is usually a quiet place where people talk quietly, relax, and read books.

The self-service machines, which you can use to borrow and return books or check your account, are in front of you when you enter the library.

Everyone who works at the library wears a lanyard with their name.

You can ask us for help and advice.

You can usually find us at the Welcome desk – it’s at the back as you come in.

Don’t worry if no one is at the Welcome desk. We might be helping another customer, but we will be with you as soon as we can.

The children’s area is to the far left as you walk in. 

Our baby rhymetime sessions run on a Monday at 10am, this can get a little noisy.

On your right is a staircase which leads upstairs to our offices.

These are for Blue Badge appointments or appointments with Signpost.

At the back of the library on the right are the public computers. These computers are free of charge to use if you have a library membership.

You can book a computer online before you arrive but don’t worry if you haven’t booked, there are usually a few available.

If you need to print anything, there will be a charge. There is a poster on display with all fees, or you can ask a librarian for help.

Next to the computers is a photocopier machine.

The photocopier takes coin payments or you can ask staff to help you and put the charge on your library card.

The photocopier is near the Welcome desk.

Around the library there are lots of shelves filled with books.

They are arranged into different genres such as crime, fantasy, sci-fi and saga, as well as non-fiction, audio books and large print books.

Fiction books are shelved under the author’s surname in alphabetical order.

The shelves are labelled to help you find what you are looking for, but you can always ask a librarian for help.

The library will often have displays linked to a particular theme.

Here is an example of one of our displays.

These displays can change often.

If you can’t find what you need, you might be able to order it from another library.

Staff can show you how to search the library catalogue.

When a book you have ordered arrives, you will get a notification.

You can then pick up your book from the reservation shelf, located next to the stairs near the entrance.

The book will be labelled with your surname and you can borrow it just like any other item. You have two weeks to collect your book from the reservation shelf.

On either side of the reservation shelf, there are boxes to recycle old batteries and used ink cartridges.

The literacy area has a range of books to help improve literacy for all ages. It is where you will find books that are easier to read if you have dyslexia or other reading difficulties.

For an adult to join, the library staff will need to see some identification with your name and address. A driving licence, bank statement or recent utility bill will do.

Children do not require identification when joining the library. Children will need to tell the librarian their name, address, date of birth and a parent’s email address.

There are different types of library card which can help if you have difficulties with memory or organisation – just ask the librarian.

With your library membership card you can visit any library in Essex to borrow books, CDs or DVDs.

You may borrow up to 14 books at once on your library card, and keep them for three weeks.

If you would like to keep your books for longer you will need to renew them. You can do this on the Essex Library Services App, the Library website, or the 24 hour renewal number.