Library Light
What is Library Light?
Library Light is a service which enables you to use your St Helens library card to use any other library across the Liverpool City Region, or to use your library card from another Liverpool City Region library authority in our libraries in St Helens.
This means existing customers can access all libraries across the Liverpool City Region with their current library card, without having to sign up for a new card with each library service. Simply present your Liverpool City Region library card, provide your name, address and contact number and let Library Light do the rest.
Library Light was developed after libraries across the Liverpool City Region, covering the local authority areas of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral, worked together to explore new ways to make it easier for customers of one library service to be able to use other library services too. This service helps to make life easier for people who live in one borough and work, study or visit other neighbouring boroughs.
What can I do with Library Light?
Using Library Light allows you to:
- Borrow up to six books from any neighbouring library service (you will need to return these books to the same service you borrowed them from).
- Reserve up to six books from any library in the Liverpool City Region by contacting them directly.
- Access PCs and printers (charges may apply for printing).
Who can use Library Light?
Library Light is available for library members of all ages. If you are under 16, you’ll need to provide parental/guardian consent.
If you are already a library member at any Liverpool City Region library you can start using the service straight away with your existing library card.
If you are not an existing library member you can join any of the Liverpool City Region library services as normal and then use Library Light to access any of the other library services in neighbouring boroughs. You only need to join one library service in the Liverpool City Region to use Library Light.
Who are the LCR Library Services?
Further Information
Q: How many books can I borrow?
A: 6 items in total at a time, including both print books and audiobooks.
Q: Why do I need a library card from a library in the Liverpool City Region? I’m already a member of my local library.
A: If you are already a member of a library service in St Helens, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton or Wirral, then you now have the option to join and use any other Liverpool City Region Library with your existing library card from your home library service.
Q: How do I join?
A: Visit the library that you wish to join, which is outside of the authority where you are already a member, with your existing library card. The library service will use this existing card as proof of ID and set you up as a member. Once set up you will then be able to use your existing library card to visit any library within that authority.
Q: Do I need ID to join Library Light?
A: No, if you are already a member of a library service in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton or Wirral then you just need to show your current library card and provide a few details (parental/guardian consent is required if you are under 16). If you are not a member of any of these library services you will need to join one of them, before you can use Library Light to access other services. This requires showing a form of ID.
Q: Can I return the books to any library in the Liverpool City Region?
A: No, you can only return books to the same library authority you loaned them from.
Q: How do I renew my books?
A: Books borrowed from us can be renewed in a number of ways. You can contact any branch by phone, email or in-person, or you can renew your books on our website or in the LiDA app. Books borrowed from other library authorities in the Liverpool City Region will need to be renewed by the same authority from which they were borrowed. You can find out how to renew your books from other authorities by checking the information on their websites.
Q: Can I use the public PCs?
A: Yes, computer and internet access is free and you can book a PC online before you visit. Charges do apply for printing and photocopying services, you can find up-to-date information on all of our fees and charges on our website.
Q: What items are available to Liverpool City Region members?
A: Library Light members can access our physical collection of print books and audiobooks free of charge. Access to our digital library collection is only available to full St Helens Library Service members.
Q: Can I request items that you do not currently have available?
A: No, we are only able to accept purchase suggestions from full St Helens Library Service members.