How To Join
Any member of the public may visit and browse through our collections, free of charge.
How Do I Join The Library?
Anybody can join. Just complete the online form and provide identification which shows your current address when visiting the Library. Under 18s will need a guarantor.
How Much Does It Cost?
It’s Free
Borrowing
Adults and Children may borrow a total of 12 items per person for a period of 3 weeks.
Internet Access
To avail of free internet access, you must become a member by filling out the online form and abide by the rules and regulations in our Regulations for Use of Internet
Renewals
if you are unable to return your items within the 3 week period, they may be renewed, in person, by telephone of Online before the date of return, provided the item has not been requested by another person.
Reserves
Any book may be requested by the customer if it cannot be found on the shelf. Please ask Staff at the desk. Lending Materials from any of our libraries can be delivered on request to whichever library you use.
Remember
Your library card is always required to borrow items and use the computer facilities.
You may register at one branch library only. However, you may use your card at any of the libraries.
Reference material, journals, magazines and newspapers cannot be removed from the library.
Any items lost or damaged must be paid for.
Sligo County Library User Policy has been created to protect the rights and safety of Library members, staff and for preserving and protecting the library’s materials, equipment and facilities. Quiet and co-operative behaviour is expected at all times.
Zero Tolerance Policy:
Library patrons are expected to adhere to our Zero Tolerance Policy. This policy on unacceptable behaviour is in operation and enforced to ensure that our customers have an enjoyable library visit.
Unacceptable Behaviour is:
- The use of threatening or abusive behaviour towards customers or staff.
- Partaking in any illegal activity (including false alarms to emergency services).
- Damaging library property.
- Entering areas of the library marked Staff Only.
- Non compliance with health and safety procedures and fire drills.
- Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Removing pages from library materials and publications. When making copies, compliance to the Copyright Act 2000 is required.
- Consuming food or beverages or using tobacco products.
- Using mobile telephones or any other electronic device for voice communication other than in the event of an emergency during Open Library hours.
- Removing materials from the library without first checking them out.
- Note: Anyone engaging in disruptive behaviour will be denied further access to the library. All our premises are CCTV monitored on a 24/7 basis.
‘Open Libraries’ Policy:
The following ‘Open Libraries’ User Policy has been created to protect the rights and safety of Library members and staff, for the preservation and protection of library materials, equipment and facilities and to ensure a welcoming environment for reading, learning and other library activities.
‘Open Libraries’ conditions:
- Members must be 18 years or over in order to become an ‘Open Library Member’.
- Members must have an up-to-date clean membership with no fines or lost items linked to their existing account in order to become an ‘Open Library Member’.
- Members must watch the associated power point presentation which clearly explains the layout and operations of the library when in its unstaffed ‘Open Libraries’ mode. A form is then signed stating that you have clearly understood the terms and conditions of this enhanced membership status.
- Parents/Guardians/Carers take total responsibility for children under 18 in their care and must be present at all times. This is an unsupervised service.
- Any ‘Open Library Member’ who allows or facilitates access to a ‘Non Open Library Member’ will be in breach of regulations and as such will face loss of membership.
- View Sligo Libraries Privacy Statement
REMOVAL OF LIBRARY FINES
From the 1st of January, 2019, library members will not have to pay fines for overdue items and no existing fines will be collected.
1. Why did the library service remove overdue fines?
The removal of fines is a key aim of the new public library strategy Our Public Library 2022: inspiring, connecting and empowering communities which was published jointly by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the County and City Management Association and the Local Government Management Agency and launched by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring T.D. in June 2018. The strategy states, ‘The library is a free lifelong resource that should be available to all without barriers or charges. Library charges have been shown to have a detrimental effect on library use by children and the disadvantaged. However, there is little evidence to show they ensure timely returns – rather they may actually dissuade members and users from returning overdue items. The elimination of overdue fines is another way for libraries to encourage people who might not regularly use the library to experience what they have to offer.
We are encouraging members of the public to return undamaged, overdue library items to their local libraries. There will be no fines to pay and we would be happy to reactivate your library membership for you to begin using your local library again.
2. Will overdue fines be removed on all materials?
There will be no overdue fines charged on any materials taken out from the library by library members from the 1st of January 2019.
3. Do I still have to pay a fine that was on my account prior to the library service becoming fine free?
All charges on members’ accounts as of the 1st of January 2019 will be removed.
4. I just paid off my late fines.
Do I get a refund? No. We do appreciate your responsible use of library materials. This new policy to eliminate overdue fines takes effect on the 1st of January 2019 and previously paid overdue fines will not be refunded.
5. Fines have been removed, so why does my account still have a balance?
Fines cannot be cleared from an account until the overdue item is returned to the library as the library management system does not charge fines to the account until this time. Once an item is returned, the system automatically charges the fine and this can then be cleared. Fines may be cleared on request by a library staff member, or a central clearing will take place once daily.
Overdue fines are being removed in libraries throughout Ireland from 1st January 2019. Fees for lost or damaged adult items will be charged and these will be shown as a balance on a library account.
Kiosks
Kiosks cannot remove fines, so library members who are charged fines at a kiosk will have to go to a member of staff to have them removed.
6. How will the library get people to return borrowed materials?
No fines does not mean no responsibility. You will continue to receive reminders and overdue emails to prompt you to return items to the library. Please return items on or before their due date to allow them to be borrowed by other library users. Please continue to renew your items online, by phone or in person at your local branch.
Please return overdue items once you receive an overdue notice. If there is an issue in returning the item, please contact a library staff member to discuss this.
If you do not either return an item or contact a library staff member to discuss an overdue item before you receive a third reminder, your card will be blocked from taking out or
renewing any further items, including e-books and e-audio books. Borrowing privileges cannot be restored until either the overdue item is returned, or you have made contact with a library staff member to discuss the matter.
7. When will I receive reminders about returning materials?
- 3 Days Before Due Date: Reminder Email
- 1 Day after Due Date: Reminder Email
- 3 Weeks after Due Date: Reminder Email
- 9 Weeks after Due Date: Item considered lost, card borrowing privileges blocked and user requested to present to the library
You can check the details of your membership including whether you have overdue items at any time by logging into your online account.
8. What happens if I lose or damage a book or other loan item?
There will be no replacement charge for children’s items which have been lost or damaged. Library members under 18 will not be asked to pay replacement costs. You will be asked to pay a replacement charge if the item which has been lost or damaged is an adult item. This cost will be calculated as the purchase price of the item.
Replacement charges can be paid at any library branch, regardless of where the item originated from.
Please note, if you have not notified the library of the loss or damage, your card will be temporarily blocked from borrowing or renewing items, including e-books and e-audio books until you make contact with a library staff member.
There are public computers available in all branches. These can be used to browse the internet, use any of our Online Resources or on some machines use Microsoft Office. Pages can be printed at a cost of 30 cent per page printed.
Users must become members by filling out the Online Form and agree to the conditions and sign the Regulations for Use of Internet
Website and Catalogue
After becoming a member, Sligo Library Service issues a User ID and PIN number for you. Please keep your PIN number safe as you will need it along with your USER I.D number (which is on the back of your library card) in order to access your account online.
On the homepage of the library website, there are a number of “links” on the top right hand side of the page underneath the search box. These are called,
- Search the Catalogue: To search Sligo Libraries Catalogue, click on the link Search the Catalogue. You can choose to do an advanced search by selecting Advanced Search (under the search box) or you can leave it at the default setting. For example you can search for a book by Graham Norton. Type in the name and hit return or Click on Search button.
- Renew My Loans: To extend the date by which items are due to be returned, Click on the link Renew My Loans.You are now asked for your User Id (This is the number, which is underneath your signature and the barcode, on the back of your membership card) and your Pin Number.You can now either Renew All or Renew Marked. Click on the box to the left of the title you wish to renew and a tick will be inserted. Then Click on the grey box titled Renew Selected Items. Once your item is renewed, you might wish to write the new return date on the date label of the book.N.B You may only renew books if they are not overdue. If your books have become overdue please contact the relevant library branch and staff will endeavour to assist your renewal claim.
- Reserve An Item Use ONLINE CATALOGUE to Search and find the item that you would like to reserve. Select the Request it button by the item in your search results.
- Review My Account To review your account click on the link Review My Account You are now asked for your User Id (This is the number, which is underneath your signature and the barcode, on the back of your membership card) and your Pin Number. Ignore the alternate ID Field. Click on Display User Information.You are now shown a list of all items (if any) checked out to your account as well as any holds that you may have requested and their current status.
- Become a Member Complete the Online Form and provide identification which shows your current address when visiting the Library. Under 18s will need a guarantor.
Click HELP for assistance.