Library Membership
Everyone can join a Library. It’s easy and it’s free. If you live, work or study in Richmond upon Thames, or are a frequent visitor to the borough, you may join the Library Service online or by visiting one of our libraries.
Everyone can join a Library. It’s easy and it’s free. If you live, work or study in Richmond upon Thames, or are a frequent visitor to the borough, you may join the Library Service online or by visiting one of our libraries.
You may borrow a maximum of 20 items at any one time. Books and audiobooks are loaned free of charge for an initial period of three weeks.
CDs and DVDs are hired on a chargeable basis. DVDs are hired for 7 days; music CDs for 2 weeks. See our charges for details.
Please return items to any Richmond upon Thames library no later than the due date. Please use the after hours bookdrop when the library is closed.
You may renew borrowed items up to four times without returning them to the library provided that they have not been reserved by another customer. You may renew online using your Library Account or by telephoning any of our libraries.
Borrowed items must be returned or renewed by the due date. Overdue charges are made for the late return of borrowed items.
You may reserve most items free of charge if they are in stock or on order for any of the public libraries in Richmond upon Thames.
You may request items that are not in stock but you will have to pay a charge for this service even if the requested item cannot be supplied.
If you would like to make a suggestion of items you would like to see added to stock in Richmond upon Thames Libraries, please do so using our online Stock Suggestion form. If you would rather the item is obtained especially for you, please use the request service.
Your Richmond upon Thames library membership gives you access to four eBook and eAudio resources.
Our OverDrive eLibrary contains hundreds of eBooks and eAudiobooks that are free to download; all you need is a library membership card, PIN and an internet connection.
Items from the eLibrary can be transferred to selected eBook readers and compatible devices, mobile devices or simply read on your computer.
You can download up to 5 items from the eLibrary at one time which is in addition to the physical items you can borrow on your library card.
eBooks will expire automatically from your account and will not accrue overdue charges.
Most items from the eLibrary can be downloaded for 7, 14 or 21 days and returned early* using your library card and PIN.
* Please note: WMA files cannot currently be returned early.
Public Library Online offers access to a dynamic range of fiction and non-fiction titles, from a range of large publishers.
You can access these while you’re on the move, or from the comfort of your own home; all you need is a library card and an internet enabled reading device such as a mobile phone or tablet.
There is no software to install and nothing to download, simply go online, log on, choose the book and when you have finished reading, log off. Simultaneous access for readers means that Public Library Online books are always available to read, which is great for use in the classroom or at reading groups.
Naxos Music Library has over one million tracks online from classical music to Jazz, Blues and World. To listen, just search for the track or album you want, tick the box and press play selection.
Naxos Spoken Word Online lets you listen to hundreds of books online. Audiobooks are broken down into short chapters so you can listen to the whole book at once or a chapter at a time.
Self-service kiosks have been installed at nine of our libraries. The machines allow library members to access a range of library services, including: borrowing, returning and renewing books, CDs and DVDs; and paying for any transactions, such as DVD hire fees or overdue charges. The kiosks also allow library customers to pay by credit card.
Explore new books! Discover new authors! Swap reading ideas in a friendly library environment!
A reading group is a group of people who meet regularly to discuss books they are all reading. They range from an informal meeting of friends who know each other to organised gatherings set up in libraries and bookshops.
Discussions are focused on sharing personal experiences about the book you have read, your favourite bits, how it made you feel, whether or not you liked the characters etc. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t manage to finish the book, just come along and hear what others have to say. It’s all about relaxing and having fun.
Reading groups are a good way to meet new people and share your passion for reading. They are a great way to try out a range of different books and authors, developing and challenging your reading habits. Groups can read anything from crime to poetry, graphic novels to classics, or focus on a particular genre.
Richmond upon Thames libraries are keen to support and encourage local reading groups. Find out what we can do for your group by downloading our support pack.
We will provide the facilitator of your group with a reading group membership card. Books can be issued for an extended loan period of up to 8 weeks, if required. In order to register your group email promotions@richmond.gov.uk or ring 020 8734 3325 - we will need the following information: name of reading group; name of contact person; email; telephone; address; book collection branch; number of members in the reading group.
Once you’re registered you will be able to easily browse available book titles from home by looking at our list of booksets. This list is regularly updated with new sets so make sure you check the online version for new additions. The booksets are kept centrally for loan to reading groups and can be requested by emailing promotions@richmond.gov.uk in advance and listing two or three title choices in order of preference, the number of copies you require for your group and the library you would like to collect them from.
The Library Service provides a home delivery service for residents of the borough who, because of age or disability, are unable to leave their home or get to their local library and who do not have any neighbours or friends who can visit the library for them.
Once you have been enrolled for the service, a member of the library staff will contact you and fill in a detailed questionnaire about your reading tastes and the items you would like to borrow.
You will then be visited every six weeks at a regular time by a volunteer who will deliver your books, audiobooks, CDs or DVDs. There is no charge for any part of the service.
All library materials may be borrowed by members of the Home Library Service, including:
You may ask at any time for particular books that you would like to read. There may be a waiting list for the more popular titles.
The library will also try to provide you with any information you need – about the Council, the local area, welfare rights, transport, what’s on… You only have to ask.
If you think you may be entitled to join the Home Library Service you may:
The Home Library Service can only reach a limited number of people at any one time. It is therefore important that the service is provided for those people who need it most. This means that you may be asked to wait until there is a place available on the waiting list at your nearest library.
If you have any other questions about the Housebound Library Service please contact:
Bernie McManamon
The Cottage,
Little Green,
Richmond,
Surrey
TW9 1QH
Telephone: 020 8734 3323 Email: bernie.mcmanamon@richmond.gov.uk
Richmond upon Thames libraries have more than 150 'People's Network' computers available for public use. Key features of the network are:
To log in to any of the public computers in Richmond upon Thames libraries, library members should use their library card and their 4-digit PIN.
To manage the high demand for our public computers we have a reservations system. Computer sessions may be booked in advance by:
All sessions may be reserved up to seven days in advance with a maximum of four advance bookings at any one time.
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff provide free computer taster sessions - whether you are a complete beginner, need to refresh your knowledge, or just want to know what the Internet is all about.
If you need more long-term or advanced training than our taster sessions provide, our staff may be able to help you find a suitable course in your area.
For more details download our Taster Sessions leaflet (pdf, 487KB), call the Information and eServices Team on 020 8734 3308 or visit us at Richmond Reference Library.
If you want to learn or practice on your own we recommend www.learnmyway.com and www.bbc.co.uk/webwise which both offer excellent courses for beginners and improvers. From keyboard and mouse to setting up an email account these websites cover all the basics.
A range of IT taster sessions are also available in libraries, either at set times or by arrangement. Please contact your local library for further details or to book a session.
Library | Day of the month | Time | Contact |
---|---|---|---|
Castelnau Library | Saturdays by arrangement | Please enquire | 020 8734 3350 |
East Sheen Library | By arrangement | Please enquire | 020 8734 3337 |
Ham Library | By arrangement | Please enquire | 020 8734 3354 |
Hampton Library | By arrangement | Please enquire | 020 8734 3347 |
Hampton Hill Library | By arrangement | Please enquire | 020 8734 3320 |
Hampton Wick Library | By arrangement | Please enquire | 020 8734 3358 |
Kew Library | By arrangement | Please enquire | 020 8734 3352 |
Richmond Lending Library | Second Wednesday | 10.00am-1.00pm | 020 8734 3330 |
Richmond Reference Library | Every day | Please enquire | 020 8734 3308 |
Teddington Library | Third Wednesday | 4.00pm-7.00pm | 020 8734 3304 |
Twickenham Library | Second Wednesday Fourth Friday | 5.00pm-8.00pm | 0208 734 3340 |
Whitton Library | By arrangement | Please enquire | 020 8734 3343 |
We hold regular events at all our libraries, including author events and talks on subjects of local interest. Check our web pages to find out what’s on at your local library.
There are free, regular Storytimes, Tiny Teddies sessions and other special events for children and teens at all our libraries. Check our web pages to find out what’s on at your local library.
A number of Library facilities are available for hire.
Three of the rooms at the Old Town Hall are available for hire:
Find out more information about the rooms here (including photographs, room layout and hire details).
For further information and to make a booking contact:
Facilities Manager
Old Town Hall
Whittaker Avenue
Richmond
TW9 1TP
Email: oldtownhall@richmond.gov.uk
Tel: 0208 734 3310
Two of the rooms at Twickenham Library are available for hire.
Room hire may be available when the library is closed, alternative rates apply.
For further information, to enquire about availability or to make a booking contact:
Community Libraries Manager
Garfield Road
Twickenham
TW1 3JT
Email: twickenham.library@richmond.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8734 3340