Join
If you live, work or study in Perth & Kinross then you can join the library service.
You can now join the library online and access the Digital Library Service by providing just a few basic details, including your email address.
Join at one of our libraries as an adult
To join at a Perth & Kinross library, visit your local library or a mobile library. You can join immediately with proof of address, or you can fill in a simple application form.
Join at one of our libraries as a child
Collect an application form from your local library and ask a parent or guardian to fill it in and sign it. We will ask to see something with the adult’s name and address on it, for example a driving licence or a rent book.
Completed application forms
Once we have your completed application, a card will be made up for you and you can start using it to borrow items straight away. You can also use your card to get a PIN for you to use the public computers or free wi-fi.
You can also use your card and PIN to access a wide variety of free online resources, including e-books and e-audio books.
Proof of identity
It is important that you bring along a proof of identity when joining at one of our libraries.
You can do this by bringing in some official documentation with your address on it. This might be, for example, an original Council Tax Bill, or a gas, electricity or telephone bill. It could also be a bank statement, or a driving licence.
The need to have proof of identity is a security measure and is intended to help us protect our stock. By protecting the stock we can ensure that there is always a good choice for you when you visit.
Libraries customer charter
Libraries Customer Charter [131kb] is our commitment to you.
Internet, Computers & Online Information
Free Wi-Fi, access to computers and the internet.
Connectvia thePeople’s Network to:
- Study and learn
- Word process your CV and apply for work
- Find information on the world wide web
- Explore our e-librarycollection of books, magazines, music, reference and audio-books
- Send and receive email
- Prepare a presentation in power-point
- Create spread sheets and databases
- Print your work
All of our librariesprovide at least one computer with a flatbed document scanner for customer use.
We currently charge 30p per page for printing in black and white and £1.10 for colour. The use of the computers and the internet is free.
Accessible software
All of our libraries now have TextHELP Read & Write Goldaccessibility software installed to provide assistance for anyone withreading and writing difficulties, or anyone with English as a second language.
TextHELP Read & Write Gold includes study skills tools that help with a range of tasks, for example, conducting research using the Internet, essay writing, report writing and proof reading.
A trackerball andkeyboardwith large keys are also available on request.
> Book a Computer
Archives
Search your family history, the online catalogue or browse some of the collections from the Perth & Kinross Archive.
> Find Out More
Local & Family History
The local and family history collection holds published sources of information about the local area.
> Find Out More
Venue Hire
Whatever your event is we have comfortable and functional venues for hire situated in the centre of Perth.
> Find Out More
Reference & Information
The main reference library is in AK Bell Library and everyone is welcome to use it for reading, studying or research. The first floor is accessible by stairs or lift. Please also see our great collection ofonline reference resourcesavailable free to members of Perth and Kinross Libraries.
Official Information
Increasingly, official information from Government and Public Bodies is being made available on the Internet and library customers are able to access this information on ourPeople’s Network computers. We also hold a host of official information in print, including collections of Scottish and UK parliamentary publications, council meeting minutes and general information on EU matters. In addition to these we also hold the Electoral Roll for Perth and Kinross. Please note that customers must come in to view the Electoral Roll – information cannot be given out over the phone or via the internet.
Dog Friendly Fridays & Saturdays
Eight libraries across Perth and Kinross welcome well-behaved dogs and their owners every Friday and Saturday. As part of the Dog-Friendly Perthshire initiative, Culture Perth and Kinross were the first library service in Scotland to welcome dogs into their buildings.
The Library service recognises the role that dogs play in providing support and companionship to many people across Perth and Kinross and the help they give to a number of people in social situations.
The eight libraries taking part in Dog-Friendly Fridays and Saturdays are theAK Bell Libraryin Perth, along with Alyth, Auchterarder, Blairgowrie, Comrie, Pitlochry and Scone Libraries.
All libraries taking part will be providing a bowl of water for their four-legged friends every Friday and Saturday.
Playlist for Life Information Hub
Playlist for Life – Music for Dementia – Information Hub is run by volunteers. The volunteers will promote Playlist for Life to the general public and carers of individuals with dementia. They will provide information about Playlist for Life, i.e. the list of music through the decades which will encourage positive and significant memories for the people with dementia; discuss and demonstrate the different devices that can be used for Playlist for Life, e.g. iPad, MP3 Player, iPod, etc. Discuss and assist carers and the general public to download music from certain websites, e.g. Spotify, YouTube, etc.
Playlist for Life and its music can benefit individuals with dementia in many ways, e.g. encouraging positive and significant memories, promoting engagement and improved relationships with carers, improving their mood and quality of life, etc. Dementia is an illness which is on the increase as people live longer. Carers will be especially interested in this project as another way to engage with and improve the lives of their friend/ relative with dementia. The general public will be more aware of this initiative and may promote it to people they know who are in a carer capacity, or who themselves are becoming a carer for an individual with dementia.
