You can access a variety of online information and research websites for free at your local library.  The areas include popular subjects like Arts & Culture, Business & Finance, Careers & Health advice, Travel and information for the whole family.  View the full list of free access websites here.

Charges do apply for some services including email, leisure & entertainment sites and software packages.  All the details about the charges and service are detailed below. 

If you need more information about what equipment is available to use in libraries and how you can book these facilities - please visit the IT & Internet page.

Questions & Answers

• How do I access the free websites and what do they cover?
• What services do you charge for?
• What are the charges?
• Do I qualify for concessions?
• How do I pay?
• What happens when I want to access a “chargeable” facility?
• What can I do if I think a site should be added to the free access list?
• Will I get a refund if I don't use all the time I've booked or if there's a problem with the system? - see the Refunds Section

For more information about why we have started charging for this service, please see the Background Information section. 

How do I access the free sites and what do they cover?

Before you log in (with your membership & PIN number), you need to click on the “free access button”.  This will take you to a page on the Council's website.

The sites provided cover a wide range of information, mainly for research and educational purposes.  For example; business matters, family history, local and national government, health, jobs, children’s education, news & travel. You can view the full list of free access websites here.

What services do you charge for?

You need to pay to use computer & internet services including:

• Using and sending emails
• Leisure & entertainment websites e.g. chatrooms & internet shopping
• Software packages (including Word, Excel & PowerPoint)

What are the charges?

• Standard charge:  £3 per hour (75p per 15 mins) for all Adult & Young Adult Library members (16yrs+)
• Non Library members:  £3.60 per hour (90p per 15 minutes)
• Concessions: £ 1.80 per hour (45p per 15 minutes)

Will I qualify for concessions?

The following groups qualify for concessions:

• Students
• Children (under 16)
• People who are registered as disabled
• Blue Badge holders
• Claiming Working Tax Credit
• Claiming Pension Credit
• Claiming Income Support
• Claiming Housing Benefit
• Claiming Job Seekers Allowance

You need to request that your computer account is set up at this rate the first time you make a payment.

Back to FAQ list

How do I pay?

You need to pay upfront, so the money is available before you use a computer. Payments need to be made in cash, over the counter at your local library. You can choose the amount you want to pay and this will be added to your computer account. 

At the moment we cannot accept online, telephone or credit/debit card payments. 

Back to FAQ list

What happens when I want to access a “chargeable” facility?

You need to exit the “free access” area and log onto the computer as normal, using your membership & PIN number.

Your account will automatically be deducted with the relevant charge, as long as you have enough money on your account.  You will get full access to all the computer & internet facilities as normal.

Your session time begins from the point at which you click the “Log On”  button. This includes the time it takes for the computer to connect to the system for verification of your ID and session length.

Back to FAQ list

What can I do if I think a site should be added to the free access list?

You can complete a form at your library to request this.  If we agree that the site is suitable, we will add the website to the free access list within the agreed timescales.

We will make the form available on the web shortly, so you can also email the request to us.

Back to FAQ list

Refunds section...

If the system crashes, or logs you out due to a technical failure, then the money for the unused minutes will automatically be transferred back to your computer account.

Please note: If you are late logging onto your computer session or you to choose to log out early, then no refund will be payable.

Non Library members will need to request a cash refund (members can also request this if preferred).

Back to FAQ list