Central Library

eMail: cenlendstaff1@doncaster.gov.uk | Telephone:  01302 734314- Lending Enquiries, 734315-Renewals , 734320-Reference, 734322-Children's Library , 734307-Local Studies. | Fax:  01302 369749 
Address: Central Library, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3JE.

Introduction to the Central Library

Central Library - exterior

The Central Library has the following departments:

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

Opening DaysCentral Library Departments Opening TimesReading Aids Unit Opening Times
Monday9am - 6pm 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday9am - 6pm 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday9am - 6pm 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday9am - 6pm 9am - 4:30pm
Friday10am - 6pm 10am - 4:30pm
Saturday9am - 5pm Closed
SundayClosed Closed

Central Reference Library

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

Other Services:  Computers with Internet Access which is free for the first hour then costs £1.00 per hour or part thereafter (this charge excludes under 16's or exempt borrowers), 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 use the Journal Holdings Central Library link on the left under "Other Documents".

Children's Library

The Children's Library caters for users aged 0-15 years and 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, Scanning facilities, Computers with free Internet Access*, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, database and presentation software, CD-Roms, school visits.

* The access is free for users under 16 or exempt borrowers.  For all other users access for the first hour is free, then it costs £1.00 per hour thereafter.

Activities at the Children's Library include:
Storytelling, craft sessions, the annual Summer reading game, a book crawl scheme - under 5's can collect certificates, plus a special Golden Certificate and they might win 2 books in a free monthly draw.

Lending Library

Central Library - interior

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

Lending Services:
Books, Paperbacks, Large Print Books, Music CDs and DVDs

Other Services:
Computers with Internet Access which is free for the first hour then costs £1.00 per hour or part thereafter (this charge excludes under 16's or exempt borrowers), 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:

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 below provides details of the titles available.

Contact the Reading Aids Unit
You can contact the Co-ordinator of the Reading Aids Unit by phone on 01302 735391 or e-mail Marilyn.parkin@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:

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

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.

Last updated: 05 March 2010
Doncaster Council,
Council House, College Road,
Doncaster, DN1 1BR
Tel: +44 (0)1302 736000
eMail: General Enquiries