Join the library

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – libraries

Belhus library, part of South Ockendon Centre, is open from Monday 6 July. The opening hours will be 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am -1pm on Saturday. Other libraries remain closed until further notice. You can access newspapers and magazines, get e-books and e-audio and take part in job club sessions online.

Go to our coronavirus (COVID-19) safety page for information on visiting re-opened libraries and items due for return. Items due between 1 January and 31 July have had their loan dates extended automatically to 1 September. Please do not put borrowed items in library book drops or letterboxes.

Joining the library

If you live, work or study in Thurrock you can become a library member at any age.

It's free to join and you don’t need to show any proof of who you are. You can join online and collect your library card when you visit your chosen library.

Join the library online

If you join at your local library there are no forms to fill in, just ask a member of staff to sign you up.

If you are under 16, bring a parent or guardian along with you the first time you visit.

You can use your card to borrow items from any Thurrock or Essex County Council library.

Group membership

Group membership allows you to borrow books for children or groups of children that you care for.

Group membership is available for:

  • pre-schools and nurseries
  • childminders
  • foster carers
  • youth groups, for example cubs and brownies, girls and boys brigade

A group membership form can be picked up from your chosen library.