Doncaster Central Library

Introduction to the Central Library

The Central Library has the following departments:

• Central Lending Library
• Central Reference Library
• Children's Library
• Reading Aids Unit (for assistance of blind and visually impaired people)
• Facilities are available for meetings, exhibitions, talks and there are special activities and events for children in the Children's Library. See the Library Events Calendar web page for details.
• All departments offer internet access. Library members can have free internet access for one hour a day, after which access costs £1.50 per hour or part thereafter. If you are a visitor to Doncaster, then you can join as a guest member, internet access costs 50p for the first 30 minutes after which access costs £1.50 per hour or part thereafter. (this charge excludes under 16's or exempt borrowers).

The Opening times for these Libraries, except the Reading Aids Unit, are: 

Central Reference Library

The Central Reference Library offers a public enquiry service and Reference Only access to:

• Books
• Newspapers and periodicals
• Maps
• Government Publications
• Business Information (Company Information, Company Lists, Market Research, Trade and Business Directories etc)
• Census Data
• UK & European Legislation
• Information Leaflets

Other Services:  Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Database and Presentation software, CD-Roms, Meeting Room/IT suite for hire, Fax Service (sending and receiving), Photocopier, Scanning Facilities, Study area and study rooms.

For a full list of the newspapers and journals held in the Central Library, please see the Journal Holdings Central Library document attached to this page.

Children's Library

Any child from 0 to 16 may join the Library. An application form will need to be countersigned by a parent or guardian and proof of identity will be required. The Children's Library offers:

Lending Services:
Books, Paperbacks, Large Print Books including storybooks, Poems, Jokes, board, picture books, touch and feel, lift the flap, DVD's & Videos, Spoken Word Cassettes.

Other Services:
Reference Books, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, database and presentation software, school visits.

*Activities at the Children's Library include:
Storytelling, craft sessions, the annual Summer reading game.

Lending Library

The Lending Library is a section in Central Library which offers:

Lending Services:
Books, Paperbacks, Large Print Books, Music CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs

Other Services: 
Word Processing, Spreadsheets, database and presentation software, CD-Roms, Meeting Rooms, Scanning Facilities.

Sound and Vision Library

The music and film collection (CDs, DVDs sheet music and scores) can be found on the first floor in the Central Lending Library.

Spoken word items on cassettes and CDs are on the ground floor foyer.

Now available: Spoken word books on MP3 Disks and Digital Audio Books for loan.

Reading Aids Unit

Doncaster Reading Aids Unit gives access to print for blind or partially sighted people. The Unit is open to all people with a visual impairment and anyone who finds print difficult to access. A confidential transcription service is available not only to individuals, but also to organisations who need print in different formats, this complies with the requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act. Letters, leaflets, minutes, reports, publications can all be transcribed into either Large Print, Braille or on to tape cassettes.

To assist people with visual impairments we use scanners, computers with speech software and an electronic braille embosser. We have screen readers that can magnify text to suit the individual.

Large print books are provided at all libraries in the borough including the mobile library, as well as hospitals, prisons, for people who are housebound or are in residential homes. Talking Books are available as standard audio cassettes or CDs and are usually the full version of the printed book. People who have sight difficulties can borrow them at no charge. 

Talking Teletext allows people to listen to the news, weather reports, travel and all other items accessible on TV Teletext services.

Local History in Large Print
Items for sale

The following Local History in Large Print books are now available to purchase for only £6.00 each:

• The Mulberry Tree Years
• No Sugar in the Tea
• Our Doncaster
• Happy event
• Pride and Poverty

You can order these titles from your local library and either pick them up at the same library, or have them posted directly to you. Also on sale are A4 Magnifying sheets for £2.50 and Magnifying Bookmarks for £2.00.

Local History in Large Print available for loan
A selection of library books on the history of Doncaster are available in large print and can be requested from your library. The document attached to this page provides details of the titles available.

Contact the Reading Aids Unit
You can contact the Reading Aids Unit by phone on 01302 735387 or e-mail central.library@doncaster.gov.uk  If you require documents to be transcribed they can be dropped in at the Unit, sent by post or e-mailed as an attachment.

Joining the Library and Membership

To find out how to join a Library please visit the following web page:

• Joining the Library

To find out what you can borrow, and other membership information please visit the following web page:

• A Guide for Library Members

Fees and Charges

Please visit the following page for details of fees and charges: Library Fees and Charges

Library Catalogue and membership records

This can be used to search for any item in the stock of Doncaster Library and Information Services, and display location of items and whether or not they are immediately available. Library catalogue and membership records

Events

Please visit the following page for a list of events taking place at this library and other community libraries: Library Events Calendar

There are events throughout the areas of Doncaster. Please visit the following pages for details of what's on in and around your local area.

• Central Area
• The East Area
• The West Area