Extended access

Extended access is a service that enables you to use the library when staff are not present.

Extended access is available at:

• Portishead Library
• Winscombe Library
• Worle Library and Children’s Centre
• Yatton Library and Children’s Centre

Benefits of extended access

If you are a registered library customer and have attended a briefing, you can access the above libraries outside of staffed hours, including evenings (5.15 to 8pm), weekends (8am to 8pm) and most bank holidays.

You will be able to:

• scan your library card and use your pin to enter the library
• connect to our free Wi-Fi
• use a computer
• print and photocopy
• access online e-resources
• use the self service kiosks to issue, return, and renew items and pay charges
• collect reserved books and items
• use the library to meet others, read and study
• read books and newspapers

For safety reasons there are no toilet facilities available during extended access hours.

Booking a briefing

Before you can use extended access, you need to attend a briefing.

Sessions are free and take 20 to 30 minutes.

If you are not currently a library member, you can sign up at your induction. Just bring a current ID which shows your name and address.

You can sign up for your briefing session via Eventbrite below. If there are no suitable induction dates for you, please contact the library directly to book an alternative time.

To use extended access you must 

• have a current library membership with us or another LibrariesWest authority (Bath and North East Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, Poole, Somerset and South Gloucestershire)
• be at least 16 years old, or 15 if you have parental permission. If you are aged 15 or under you can use extended access if you are accompanied by a parent/carer who has registered to use the service

You access the library by scanning your library card on the card reader outside the main library doors and entering your PIN. The doors will automatically open for you when you wish to exit the library.

When the extended access time is coming to an end, you will hear a pre-recorded message. If you are using one of our public computers, they will automatically log off 10 to 15 minutes before the library closes.

You can also use the help phone at certain times to call library staff if something isn’t working correctly.

If you don’t need urgent assistance, you can let our library staff know by leaving a note in the comments box for them to pick up when they are next in, or email them.

If you are currently able to use the library, you will be able to use it during extended access hours, as long as you have had an induction.

There will be no staff on site during extended access, so there will be nobody to assist you should you need it. If you need a carer with you, they will also have to be a registered library user and will need to have attended a briefing.

You should familiarise yourself with the safety information for each library where you intend to use extended access.

Portishead Library

• there are two emergency exits - the main entrance and the fire doors at the back of the library
• in the event of a fire alarm or power failure, front doors will be held open automatically. If the alarm is not sounding, you’ll need to push the bar on the fire doors at the back of the library to release them
• the help phone is located next to the photocopier
• the library meeting room is not available during extended access. It may be used by external groups with advance bookings who will have their own access arrangements

Yatton Library

• there are three emergency exits - the front entrance, the back door to the car park, and the door leading to the Yatton Moor room
• in the event of a fire alarm or a power failure, you’ll be able to push the doors open - the front door will be held open automatically
• the help phone and a list of contact numbers is in the main library space, to the right of the main doors
• the upstairs area, lift and toilets are not available during extended access hours
• the upstairs and the lift may be used by groups with advance bookings who will have their own access arrangements
• the Greta Lewis room and the Yatton Moor room may be used by partners or external hirers separately during extended access

Worle Library

• there are two emergency exits - the front entrance and the fire door in the children’s area opposite the toilets
• in the event of a fire alarm or power failure, you’ll be able to push the doors open - the front doors will be held open automatically
• the help phone is on the desk by the computers, next to the DVDs
• the children’s centre areas may be used by staff or groups separately during extended access

Winscombe Library 

• the emergency exit is the main entrance
• in the event of a fire alarm or power failure, doors are automatically held open
• the help phone is on the desk between the two public computers