What you can borrow

Barnet libraries have something for everyone including:

• fiction such as mysteries, classics and science fiction
• non-fiction books on every topic imaginable
• vocal scores and playsets
• music CDs (only available at Chipping Barnet library and East Finchley libraries) 
• audiobooks
• DVDs
• ebooks and audiobooks
• digital magazines and newspapers

How many items you can borrow and for how long

Adults, children and teenagers can have up to 20 items on loan at any one time.

Item loan periods are as follows;

• books: 3 weeks
• music CDs or audiobooks: 3 weeks
• DVDs: 1 week

You can return items to any Barnet library. You can also Select and Collect items on our online catalogue from another Barnet Library for free. Items which are not in Barnet Libraries can also be reserved for a small fee

Charges

Books, CDs and audiobooks can be borrowed free of charge but DVDs have a small loan charge 

Charges are made for all overdue items.

Renewing your loans

You can renew your loans in person, by telephone or online.

Special library cards

If you are a childminder, preschool leader or foster carer you can have a special library card (in addition to your own personal library card) for books to share with the children in your care.

• Childminders: can borrow an extra 20 items, plus themed story boxes. Standard loan periods and charges apply
• Preschool leaders: can borrow up to 30 items. Books can be borrowed for up to 100 days and non-book items for standard loan periods. Standard charges apply
• Foster carers can borrow an extra 20 books for up to 6 weeks and 2 DVDs (U, PG and 12 certificates) free of charge.

Childminders, preschool leaders and foster carers must show proof of their name and address and their OFSTED or Local Authority registration documents when obtaining a special library card. 

• People living with Dementia can borrow the standard 20 items with no fines on the late return of books. Fines and charges for DVDs and other items will apply.

Interlibrary loan

Interlibrary loan obtains non-fiction books which are not held in your own public library. We cannot borrow audiovisual items, fiction or children's books.

Orders are placed either online or in person at your closest library.

You can order journal articles directly from the British Library for a small fee.

Community language materials

Barnet libraries stocks materials in a variety of community languages. See the table below for locations.

Community language materials

Language	Libraries
Albanian Shqip	South Friern
Chinese 中文	Finchley Church End Mill Hill South Friern
Farsi Fārsī	Chipping Barnet Finchley Church  End Golders Green
French Français	Chipping Barnet
Greek Ελληνικά	Osidge
Gujarati ગુજરાતી	Burnt Oak Chipping Barnet Edgware North Finchley
Hebrew עברית	Edgware Golders Green
Japanese 日本語	North Finchley
Polish Polski	Burnt Oak Colindale Hendon
Romanian Română	Burnt Oak
Somali Af-Soomaali	Colindale
Turkish Türkiye Türkçesi	Osidge
Tamil தமிழ்	Colindale
Urdu اردو	Hendon Mill Hill