South Gloucestershire Council

We are pleased to be able to offer most services at 11 libraries in a safe environment.  Find out more

Open Access and Open Access inductions remain unavailable 

eBooks, eAudiobooks and digital magazines are still available to library members online 24/7.  Find us on Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch.

Most of our libraries are now open longer thanks to Open Access technology. This enables registered Open Access members to use the library outside of staffed hours, in most cases seven days a week.

First you need to be an Active Leisure and Library member and then you can enhance your library membership to register as an Open Access user for free, by completing a one-off induction session. This will enable you to make the most of the resources at times that are more convenient to you. Watch our short video to see how Open Access works and why you might wish to use it.

When the library is available during Open Access times you will be able to:

• scan your Active Leisure and Library card and use your PIN to enter the library
• connect to our free wifi
• use a computer
• print and photocopy* items
• access online e-resources
• issue, return, renew items and pay charges using the self-service kiosks
• collect reserved books and items
• use the library to meet others, read and study
• use the free space (heating & lighting are automated, CCTV is installed)

The following libraries currently have Open Access: Bradley Stoke; Cadbury Heath; Downend; Emersons Green; Filton; Hanham; Kingswood (new location – inside Kingswood Civic Centre BS15 9TS); *Patchway; Staple Hill; Thornbury; Winterbourne and Yate.

Please note, there are no toilet facilities during Open Access hours (apart from Bradley Stoke and Patchway, where toilet facilities are in the communal building).

*At Patchway library Open Access is not available seven days a week.

*Photocopying not available in all Open Access libraries

Please book your one-off induction online – ideally at the library you plan to use most often, so you can familiarise yourself with the location of the Open Access equipment, layout, use of equipment and emergency exits. On completion of your induction your library membership will be enhanced to enable use of any South Gloucestershire library with Open Access. Please familiarise yourself with emergency exits when using a different library. Terms and conditions apply, minimum age 16 years.

For opening times please see individual pages.