Skip to content

Hertfordshire County Council

Reserve and collect a book

When you use our online catalogue you can reserve books from any library, including books already on loan or soon to be released.

When you reserve, choose a library to collect it from and we'll let you know when it's ready. If we have your email we'll send you a reminder. If not, we'll send you a letter or you can check your account for when it's ready to collect.

What can I borrow?


As a member of the library you can get a full range of books, magazines, ebooks and audiobooks. Not a member? Join now.

You can:

  • borrow up to 30 items at a time
  • keep books for up to 3 weeks
  • renew your books up to 4 times


If you can't find what you're looking for in the library catalogue, send us a request and we'll try to borrow a copy from a library outside Hertfordshire or purchase a new copy. Please note that charges may apply for this service.

Not sure what to read next?

If you're looking for a new book, try searching our library catalogue.

If you need inspiration, use your library card number to log in to 'Who else writes like...?'  You'll find authors similar to your favourites.

If you love to read, try our personalised book selection service Bespoke Books.

What if I lose an item?

If you lose something you've borrowed from a library, let us know as soon as you can and we'll see if it has been handed in. Otherwise we will ask you to pay for a replacement.

Donating books

We currently have limited capacity to deal with donations so the following guidelines apply:

  • We cannot guarantee that donated items will be added to stock as they are subject to the same guidelines as all library items.
  • Donations not added to stock may be sold or disposed of sustainably. Any proceeds will be used to improve our services.
  • Books should be less than 5 years old and in nearly new condition.
  • We cannot guarantee that an item will stay at a particular library.
  • We are unable to inform donors of the outcome of donations.
  • We cannot return unwanted donations to the donor.

 We reserve the right not to accept donations.

Self-published and hybrid published authors

We do not accept books that are self-published or hybrid published.

Self-publication is when an author has sole control of the content without the collaboration of an established publisher to provide editorial review. Hybrid publishing is when the publisher charges the author a fee for their publishing services and the author takes all financial risks for their book.

We rely on publishers to undertake various forms of editorial control that eliminate factual error, potential libellous content and material that may be viewed as counter to law. Editorial processes also ensure that the level of grammar and language which are used in a book is appropriate and relevant for the age level to which the book aimed at. We are not able to appraise each and every book in this detail and are not necessarily qualified to do so in matters of law.

No judgement on the quality of a hybrid published or self-published book is either implied or should be inferred by our position.

We are not able to enter into correspondence about copies sent to libraries and are unable to return any copies to authors.

Rate this page

Cookies

Like many other websites, we place small information files called 'cookies' on your computer.

Why do we use cookies?

To remember your settings, for example your language and location. This means you don’t have to keep entering these details when you visit a new page.

To find out how you use the site to help us update and improve it.

How do I change my cookie settings?

You can change the settings of your web browser so that it won’t accept cookies. For more information visit AboutCookies.org.

But, doing this may stop you from using some of the online features and services on this website. 

Cookies we use

Cookies do a lot of different jobs, and we use 2 types of cookies:

Required functionality cookies – these cookies are essential for the website to work.

Performance and feature cookies – these cookies help to improve the performance and feel of this website, for example providing you with personalised services.


Take a look at a list of cookies we use on our website:

NameTypeHow we use itHow long we use the information for

ASP.Net_Sessions

 

Required functionality

An automatic cookie set by our software. 

Just for the time you are on our website.

ServerID

 

Required functionality

An automatic cookie set by our software. 

Just for the time you are on our website.

_ga

Required functionality

To track the effectiveness of our website using Google Analytics. 

2 years

saved-pages

Performance and feature

To save the pages that you visit by clicking the heart at the top of the page. 

1 month

geoPostcode

Performance and feature

This stores your postcode (or partial postcode) when we ask you for your location.

Just for the time you are on our website or 30 days (you choose this).

geoCoordinates

Performance and feature

This stores your location as a pair of latitude / longitude coordinates.

Just for the time you are on our website or 30 days (you choose this).

reckonerName-history

Performance and feature

This keeps a history of all answers submitted to the ready reckoner.

This is set in the control for each ready reckoner. If you haven't interacted with the ready reckoner for the set amount of days, the cookies are deleted.

reckonerName-content

Performance and feature

This keeps a history of what content cards are clicked on when using the ready reckoner.

This is set in the control for each ready reckoner. If you haven't interacted with the ready reckoner for the set amount of days, the cookies are deleted.

SQ_SYSTEM_SESSION

Required functionality

This used to track user sessions on forms hosted on eservices.hertfordshire.gov.uk

Just for the time you are on our website.


Third party cookies

There are links and content from other sites and services on our website. These sites and services set their own cookies.

Below are a list of cookies that the other sites and services use:

Service namePurposeMore information

Google analytics (_utma/b/c/z)

These are used to compile reports for us on how people use this site.

Cookies of the same names are also used for the same purpose by other websites such as Building FuturesCountryside Management Service and Hertfordshire LIS.

Visit the Google Analytics website for more information about the cookies they use.

You can prevent data from being collected and used by Google Analytics by installing Google's Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Google Translation - googtrans

This cookie is used to remember which language to translate each page into if you have chosen to do so.

It expires at the end of your browser session.

Bing

We use a Bing cookie to track the success of our marketing campaigns and make them more efficient.

Visit Bing to find out more about their cookies.

Google

We use a Google cookie to track the success of our marketing campaigns and make them more efficient.

Visit Google to find out more about their cookies.

Facebook

We have a number of presences on Facebook, which we may link to. Facebook may set some of its own cookies if you follow these links.

Visit Facebook to find out more about their cookies.

Twitter

We have a number of presences and feeds on Twitter, which you may wish to follow or read from this website. Twitter may set some of its own cookies.

Visit Twitter to find out more about their cookies.

YouTube

We have a YouTube channel, which we may link to. YouTube may set some of its own cookies if you follow those links.

Visit YouTube to find out more about their cookies.

Netloan

This ASP.NET_Sessionid cookie is essential for the Netloan secure online payments website to work, and is set when you arrive to the site. This cookie is deleted when you close your browser.

 

HotJar

This session cookie is set to let Hotjar know whether that visitor is included in the sample which is used to generate funnels.

Visit HotJar to find out more about their cookies.

Siteimprove

These cookies are set to help us report on how people are using the site so we can improve it.

Visit Siteimprove to learn more about their cookies.