Libraries - Joining
Without being a member, you can visit any library in Kingston and read books, newspapers or magazines, ask for information, or sit and study.
You can even learn new skills with our range of computer training material and/or with the help of our Training Officers at Hook and Chessington, New Malden and Tolworth libraries.
Members can borrow (or hire) books, videos, DVDs, CDs and other items to take home, use the internet. Members and computer only members can use the internet for free for the first hour.
Can I join?
Anyone can apply for a Membership Card and joining is free.How can I join?
For Full Membership you should bring in two official items, one of which has both your Name and Current Address on it e.g. utility bill, bank statement, (less than 3 months old) council tax book, driving licence (photo card type including address), and one that confirms your Signature, (e.g. a credit/debit card, current passport, travel card).
For a Computer user only card you need one official item that confirms your name and address. (See examples above).
If you are under 16, your parent or guardian will need to come in with you initially to be a guarantor. We will issue your Membership Card which you can use right away at any library in the Royal Borough. And you can borrow up to twelve items at once on your card.
What do I get?
If you are a Member, you can
- borrow from well over 230,000 books for free. These include fiction, non-fiction, large print books and books in other languages.
- place a request, if you can't find the item you are looking for. The Request Service provides access to resources all over the country.
- hire music CDs, music scores, play sets, books on tape and CD, videos, DVDs, and language courses.
- book longer sessions at the computer terminals to browse the Interent, use Email.
- access the Virtual Training Suite: our collection of computer based training material containing over 1,000 different courses.
Library Rules
Members must abide by the Library Rules.