How to join in person
Go to your local library and our staff will be pleased to help you. After joining in person at any library in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we’ll give you a card number and PIN. You can then sign into the online Libraries West catalogue.
The catalogue has a list of all books available at libraries that are part of Libraries West (including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole). You’ll also be able reserve and renew items online.
There’s also a free app you can use to check and renew your loans.
You can view LibrariesWest’s Privacy Policy on their website.
Join online services
As well as joining at your local library, you can join online if you’re 16 or over. Just go to the LibrariesWest website and complete a simple form. You’ll then be issued with an online membership number and PIN.
Once you've signed up, you’ll be able to use online resources such as e-books straight away.
If you provide an email address when you join, we’ll send you an email with your membership details.
To use any other library services, you'll need to pick up your membership card from any library in your area, bringing along proof of your identity.
Proof of address
You’ll need proof of address to pick up your card from the library.
We accept:
- driving licence
- gas, telephone, or electricity bill from last three months
- bank statement or credit card statement from last three months
- addressed envelope received at home from last three months
- recent wage slip showing your address
- tenancy agreement
We do not accept as proof:
- NUS cards
- bus, rail or coach passes
- business cards or a workplace ID
If you have no fixed address, you do not need any proof of address.