Yes, under 16s can join the library for FREE further information is available from the join the library page of the website. Your library card will be sent to your parent or guardian by post and your PIN in a separate mailing.
For your most convenient branch library, please use our library finder.
If you are under 16 and you want to get your library ticket today, you will need to ask your parent or guardian to complete and sign a library membership form, and bring it along to your local library.
The following pdf Library Membership form is available to download.
Library membership registration form (pdf 30kb opens in new window)
If you are 16 years old or over you will need to bring proof of your name and
address along when you make your first visit to the library. A Student ID card,
a current savings account statement including your address and proof of
your National Insurance number can be accepted for this purpose.
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There is plenty for teenagers and young people to borrow at the library and it is all FREE so long as you borrow on your own ticket:
- Novels by your favourite authors.
- Graphic novels at some libraries.
- Information books to help with projects and homework.
- Audio books.
- DVDs and music CDs at some libraries.
You can keep your books, CDs or audio books for three weeks, and DVDs for one week. There is no charge if you forget to bring your books back on time for under 18 year olds!
Check the library catalogue for a list of all the books, audio books and DVDs in the library. Ask for books by your favourite authors to be delivered to your nearest library.
If you are still wondering what to read take a look through these links to
some recommended book lists:
The Book Trust Children’s Best Book Guide (external website)
The Book Trust Children’s Book List (external website)
Carnegie Medal Winners - An annual prize for the most outstanding book for children (external website)
Or ask at you local library to look at Who Next? a really useful list of authors and book lists for young people.
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Yes, the Digital Reference Library has online resources to help you with your homework and projects.
The Junior and Student Britannica are a great place to start your research. Oxford Reference, Art and Music Online can help with more detailed projects.
UK Newsstand allows you to search for a range of current topics in the news.
The Dictionary of National Biography and Who’s Who? are useful for information about famous people.
You will need your library card to access the online Digital Reference Library from your home computer, but not if you are using library computers at your local branch library.
The exception is Who Writes Like which requires both card number and PIN.
BBC Bitesize is another very useful homework resource that offers revision aids and homework help.
BBC Bitesize (external website)
You can borrow books from your local library to help with homework. Use the library catalogue to reserve the books you want for FREE. You will need your library card and PIN for this service. More information on how to get your PIN is available on the join the librarypage.
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Yes, it is FREE to sign onto the library computers and there are useful online
reference resources to help with homework.
Eight to 15 year olds must have written permission from their parent or guardian and agree to the Under 16s Internet Code of Conduct.
- Print a copy of the Under 16s Acceptable Use Policy from the link below.
- Ask your parent or guardian to read and agree to the terms and conditions.
- Ask your parent or guardian to sign the form at the end and detach it.
- Take the signed form along your local library.
- You will also need to take your library card each time to sign in.
The following pdf document provides information on the Under 16s Internet Acceptable Use Policy.
Under 16s Acceptable Use Policy (pdf 144kb opens in new window)
If you are over 16 check out the library computers section for more information about signing up to use library computers.
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If you have a worry online, at home or at school you can get help from Childline. You can call free on 0800 1111 or visit the website. There are people to help with any problem:
Childline (external website)
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There are various events you might enjoy going on in libraries –
Reading Groups for teenagers
Some libraries hold reading groups for teenagers. To see if there is a reading group at your local library, please use our library finder.
Before you set off, give them a ring to make sure the activity you want still has places available.
Poetry Festival
If you love poetry there are events especially for young people included in the Poetry Festival at Sewerby Hall, Bridlington in the spring. Details of this year's festival are available from the Bridlington poetry festival website.
Bridlington poetry festival (external website)
The Larkin and East Riding Poetry Prize
For budding poets this competition is run every year information about this years winners is available on the Bridlington poetry festival website.
Bridlington poetry festival (external website)
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A helpful range of books and other resources is available on all aspects of parenting. Use the library catalogue to search for books on education, health, pregnancy and more. You can reserve them for free of charge. You will need you library card and PIN for this service. More information on how to get your PIN is available on the join the librarypage.
Special visits to libraries for classes and groups may be arranged by appointment. Contact your local library supervisor to discuss details. Sessions can be tailored to your group’s interests or to demonstrate the use of the the online Digital Reference Library.
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