Harrow Libraries terms and conditions

It is free to join any of our Harrow Libraries. Anyone is welcome to use our premises, whether they are library members or not. Members of the library can borrow a range of items. These include books, magazines, CDs and audiobooks.

The Library Authority must legally provide a library service. It must do so for those who live, work, or study in the borough.

Membership

You will need to become a member before you can borrow items from a Harrow library. Library members must follow Library Byelaws. When you sign the library membership form, you accept the library rules and regulations.

You can use your membership card in any library in The Libraries Consortium (TLC). If you already have a TLC membership card, you will not be issued a new card. You will need to bring your membership card when you visit the library.

You are responsible for your own membership card. You are also responsible for all items borrowed on your card. If you lose your membership card you will need to tell us as soon as possible. If you lose or damage your card you will need to pay for a replacement. You can tell us if you need to change the details of your membership.

Loaning items

You will need your membership card to loan items and book computers. The standard loan period for books and CDs is 21 days, and seven days for DVDs.

You can extend your loan items for longer if you would like. You can renew DVDs once for seven more days. But, you can't renew them if someone else has reserved them. You can renew items online, in person or by phone.

You can return loaned items to any library within the LLC. Loaned items must be returned, or the loan period renewed on or before the date due for return. Some books and items may not be available for reservation.

You will need to pay late fees for any items that are not returned by the due date. You will also be charged a fee for lost or damaged items. We follow the British Board of Film Classification.

So this means that we will not issue items to anyone under the age stated. You must obey the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. You are responsible for any copyright infringements. You can view current fees and charges on our fees and charges page.

Computer bookings

Library members can book computers at a Harrow Library. You will need to show your membership card. All computer bookings are:

  • valid for sessions of no more than 60 minutes
  • restricted to no more than two sessions in one day.

Computer bookings are held for ten minutes after the start time. If you do not log in within that time, the booking for that session will be cancelled.

When using one of our computers in a library we ask that you:

  • use headphones to listen to audio files or watch videos
  • do not view anything likely to cause offence
  • do not use the computer or internet for illegal purposes.

Computer users must follow our Harrow Libraries IT policy. We track computer usage to ensure our conditions are followed. We can end internet access if the conditions are not followed.

Children (under 16)

Children (under 16) must confirm their parents' or guardians' consent. The adult must agree to be responsible for items loaned by the child and to pay any charges. The parent or guardian can approve computer usage for their child. They do this when they complete a child’s membership form.

We have a duty of care for children, young people and vulnerable people. We also have a safeguarding policy to guarantee the safety of our users.

Private tuition

Private tuition is allowed on a 1-to-1 basis only in open-plan spaces. Private tuition for two or more people is only allowed in the meeting rooms. You can book meeting rooms in advance.

Find out more about meeting room booking fees on our charges page.

Lost property and damage

We are not responsible for damage to your equipment. This is if it was caused by faulty DVDs or CDs. You should always check the state of DVDs and CDs before using them in your equipment.

You can report any damaged items to staff as soon as possible.

Anti-social behaviour

We aim to provide a safe and welcoming environment to all library users. We strive to provide excellent service. We expect all our staff and users to be treated with respect.

We will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour in our libraries. We can ask offenders to leave the premises. It may also result in a ban from using our library services.

Personal information and data protection

We need some personal details from you when you open a library account. Your details are password protected. Only our library staff can access them.

We collect your email address so we can send you overdue and reservation alerts. You agree to receiving these alerts when you open a library account.

You can choose to opt in or out of marketing emails. These emails alert our members to new services and events that may be of interest. You can opt out of receiving marketing emails by tapping 'unsubscribe’ at the bottom of an email.

We store your transaction history details on our system. We keep them for two years. We keep details of non-completed transactions for six years. These kinds of transactions are items borrowed but not returned.

We collect non-personal details to help improve our services. This information does not identify you as a named individual. We use this information to:

  • analyse library usage
  • monitor the number items loaned
  • track the types of items in high demand.

You can view the last 18 months of your borrowing history on your library account. Sign in to your library account.