Moved or Resettled into Bath and North East Somerset? Benefit from free Library Membership and our information services.
We provide free access to library, information and advice services, as well as partner services.
You can visit us in Bath Central Library, Bath Housing, Welfare and Advice Services, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Library and Information Service, on our Mobile Library and you can access content online. There are also local Community Run Libraries too.
Anyone can join the library, come to groups or events, or just access our services.
What can you do in our Library and Information Centres and online?
• Access books, DVDs, spoken word resources, foreign language materials, Quick Reads and more in our libraries
• Access free e-Books, e-Audiobooks, e-Newspapers and e-Magazines online
• Use computers and Hublets (tablets) and Wi-Fi for free and printing and photocopying facilities for a small charge
• Use our safe spaces for reading, research and quiet time
• Access help and advice about housing and welfare (in some locations)
• Come to Library and partner events including employment & skills drop-ins, craft groups, story times for young children – see our Events calendar
• Use our sensory spaces or sensory explorer bags, ideal for people with additional needs – see Access for All
Joining the library
Join the Library to access LibrariesWest catalogue of around two and a half million items.
Joining the library is quick, easy, and free. Permanent membership is available to anyone who is resident in the Bath and North East Somerset area. Visitors can join temporarily too, to enjoy library services while in the area.
Joining is quickest online, but if you prefer to, do visit us and look around first. For information about the documents needed to complete your application visit our website.
Books in other languages
Visit LibrariesWest and do an advanced search, selecting a ‘Language’ from the drop-down menu.
Access free e-Books, e-Audiobooks and e-Newspapers on BorrowBox and use the website advanced search by language.
Search e-Magazines and filter results by language on Libby.
In response to the crisis in Ukraine, many resources became available in Ukrainian – find out more.
Other Useful Resources
As a member, you can access digital resources from our website including:
Driving Test Theory Pro – an online simulation of the UK’s driving theory tests. You can take a mock theory test for free.
Go Citizen – for candidates preparing for the Life in the UK test or British citizenship test. You’ll find everything you need to prepare and pass the Life in the UK Test on your first attempt.