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Joining the library – information for children

Latest:

New library card designs – Teen wins!

We asked you to vote for a new image for library cards, posters and leaflets for young people and you chose 'Teen'.

'Teen' is your favourite image for new library cards
'Teen' is your favourite image for new library cards

You can join the library at any age. Membership is free and can be arranged on the spot.

You get your own library card to use at any East Sussex library. There are special cards depending on your age:

  • 0 to 4-year-olds – Elmer the Elephant library card
  • 5 to 11-year-olds – Stomp the Dragon library card
  • 12 years and over – white library card.

Young people who are already members don't have to miss out – just visit your local library to swap your existing library card at any time.

Elmer the elephant library card Elmer the elephant library card
Stomp the dragon library card Stomp the dragon library card

Full membership

Join the library as a full member to borrow 20 books, 6 talking books and 6 DVDs. Please note: you have to pay for DVDs – see our fees and charges.

If you're under 16, a parent or guardian will have to bring proof of address to the library – such as a utility bill – and sign your library card. They will also need to sign a consent form so you can use the library computers.

  • Children aged 8 to 15
    You can use the computers on your own but your parent or guardian is responsible for what you do on the Internet.
  • Children under 8 years old
    You must have an adult with you at all times when you use our computers.

Website content is filtered for children but this doesn't always block unsuitable material.

Standard membership

If you're aged 8 to 15 and visit the library on your own, you can join as a standard member to borrow 4 books. We'll send a letter to your parent or guardian to say you've joined the library.

If you're under 8, you must be accompanied by an adult member when you join.

Standard members can't use our library computers.

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East Sussex County Council, County Hall, St Anne's Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE. Phone: 0345 60 80 190