Bath and North East Somerset Libraries

We have a Digital Library service, allowing you to download eResources absolutely free, without leaving your home!

BorrowBox offers eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers, and eMagazines which you can access via the website or by downloading the app onto your device.

eBooks and eAudiobooks

There are over 31,000 titles available and you can borrow or reserve up to 10 of each type of resource at any time. You can browse the catalogue by age, genre, or see our curated collection.

eNewspapers

Access the full text of more than 200 UK national, regional and local titles on the day of publication and most publications have the previous six issues available. You can even subscribe to have your favourites delivered straight to your device.

eMagazines

We have around 1,100 eMagazine titles available for you to borrow, with back copies available for many for them.

Borrow up to 50 editions of any title at a time, for a period of 50 days, which can be renewed.

The collection also includes one-off titles on a range of subjects such as health & wellbeing, hobbies, history, computing, and sport.  

Just log on using your library card number and pin to be able to download and enjoy them from anywhere!

Find out more, including accessibility features, about eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers, and eMagazines.

In Bath Central, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Libraries you can use our technology to get online and print.

We have Public Network computers that members can use for 2 hours and non-members can use for 30 minutes - just ask staff about logging on.

We also have 'Hublets'; tablets that can be borrowed with your Library card to browse the web within a Library.

You can print from our Public Network computers or from your own device, or photocopy your documents. Find out more, including prices, on the Council Website.

In Bath Central and Keynsham Libraries there are IT Guides who can help you use our technology, just ask staff when they're next in!

We have a wealth of useful online resources available for you to use for free!

Visit one of our Libraries and use a Public Network computer to access:

• World Shakespeare Bibliography
• Ancestry
• British Film Institute Replay
• Access to Research
• Which Magazine

Visit a Library or the Council website from home to access:

Library at Home is for Bath & North East Somerset residents who aren't able to access their local library services for a number of reasons, whether it's short or long term. The service is run by the Library and delivered by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Library at Home offers three different services:

Home Library Service

Your volunteer will visit you at mutually agreed times bringing a selection of Library books which are chosen based on your 'Reader Profile'. They will also return the books you have finished. This service provides not just books but a friendly chat, as it also aims to combat social isolation. Many lasting friendships have developed between our readers and volunteers!

Book Drop

Volunteers will deliver Library books to your door, and collect and return any you have finished. Book choices are based on your 'Reader Profile'. This service is aimed at those who don't want company but are unable to get to the Library in person.

Reading Friends

This service is a nation-wide programme to help those who feel lonely or isolated. We match you with a suitable volunteer and you have regular chats, either via the phone or virtually. Conversation is based around reading, whether it's books, poems, or articles. We also run Reading Friends Groups in our Libraries.

Visit the Council Website to find out more about Library at Home.

We offer a wide variety of volunteering opportunities to suit different needs. There are in-library front line positions such as leading groups and assisting customers with our computers, behind the scenes positions such as cataloguing, and roles in the community with the Library at Home service.

In our most recent survey our volunteers gave us an overall score of 4.5/5 and rated 'feeling welcomed by staff' at 4.8/5. Some of their comments included finding their role "interesting and fulfilling", they were "enjoying the role", "very happy" and one said "I have been impressed by the support from the regular staff".

Please visit our Volunteering Portal to see which opportunities are currently open, and more information about the roles.

School Work Experience and Duke of Edinburgh

We also offer Work Experience for school pupils and Duke of Edinburgh participants. See the write-up below from a previous pupil to get a flavour of the experience with us.

If you're interested in Work Experience or Duke of Edinburgh volunteering, please email Library_Volunteers@bathnes.gov.uk