Books and reading
Find out more about the range of books and reading you can access through our libraries.
How can I borrow library books?
There are three ways to borrow and they are all free:
Standard Loans
These are for our main collection of books and include new titles, bestsellers, new authors, and popular fiction, such as Mills and Boons, classics, sci-fi, and fantasy. We also have non-fiction books on a wide range of subjects including cookery, health, travel, sport, and biography. You can borrow them for up to three weeks. After that, you can normally renew them for another three weeks. If you don't return them on time we may charge you a late fee.
No Late Fee
We have a collection of books you can borrow for up to six months. You can borrow up to two books at a time from this collection with no late fees to pay.
How can I renew library books?
You can renew your books in one of the following ways...
- Online through the library catalogue - select "my account" and login using your borrower number and PIN - this is set to the first two and last two digits of your date of birth
- Over the telephone - call 01332 641700
- In person at a Derby library.
The eLibrary
Our eLibrary includes:
Do you have books in other formats?
We have books in large print if you find the standard text is too small
We have Audiobooks on CD, if you prefer to listen. We usually charge for borrowing audiobooks but, if you qualify for concessions, they are free.
Do you have newspapers and magazines?
To help prevent the spread of Covid-19; newspapers and magazines have been withdrawn from all Derby Libraries.
You can still access eMagazines and eNewspapers. You will need your library card and pin number to use this service
How can I find books that I want?
You can find what you are looking for by searching our library catalogue. You can do this in any of our libraries or from your own computer.
Can I get a book or other item if it’s not on the shelves at my local library?
You can place a hold on books and other items which are out on loan or located at another library and you can pick them up from a library of your choice in Derby. There is a charge for this service.
How do you let me know when my hold is ready to pick up?
We can let you know by e-mail or by letter. Notification by email is free. If you choose to receive notification by post, this will cost you 80p. Let staff know how you want to receive your hold notification and make sure they always have your up to date contact details.
How to get more out of reading?
If you are not sure what to read next, the following suggestions may be of use. All of these options are free.
- Fantastic Fiction
- Whichbook
- goodreads
- Download our Titles that we recommend to reading clubs below
Facebook Reading Group
Derby Libraries Reading Group is a welcoming online space where members can join together to read, share, and explore books. We set a new book every three weeks, all the books chosen are available in our eLibrary, and are available for multiple downloads so lots of people can read them at once.
The group is free to join and is open to everyone.