Obviously all three million plus items won’t fit into your local library. But there’s no need for you to travel all over the county to get what you want either. By ordering a book, CD or DVD you can get it sent your nearest library for collection. So you won’t miss out if the title you want to read is the other side of the county. Reservations are free when you place them yourself.

You will need to use our ELAN catalogue to reserve the item you want. You can either do this using a computer in a library or via the internet by visiting http://essexlibraries.essexcc.gov.uk Make sure you have your library card to hand.

1. Search for the item you want by author or title. Type the words into the ‘what are you looking for box’, then press enter or click on ‘go’.
2. Browse the page (or pages) of results. Click on the title for more details. If you want to go back to the search results use the back button on the left of the screen.
3. On the title page you’ll be able to see find out more about the item including authors, descriptions and where copies are. If it’s what you’re looking for click the ‘reserve this item’ button on the left of the screen.
4. Another window will pop up for you to log in. Type in the barcode from your library card and your PIN. Your PIN is usually your date of birth or the last three characters of your postcode. Click ‘log in’.
5. You’ll be taken to another screen which will be asked to choose where you want to collect your item from. Choose your preferred location and click ‘Ok’.
6. That’s it! You’ll receive a notification via email, telephone or letter when your item is ready for collection.

If you need more help just contact your local library
Rayleigh 01268 775830, Rochford 01702 546688, Hockley 01702 203558, Hullbridge 01702 230868, Great Wakering 01702 219438, South Woodham Ferrers 01245 329531 or call Answers Direct on 0845 6037628

Do you ever hear about an event at the library and wish that you’d found out about it in time to go? Wish you had regular suggestions for what to read next? Like to keep up to date with all the services libraries have on offer?

It’s easier than ever to keep up with what’s happening in Essex Libraries. Sign up for the free fortnightly newsletter. Signing up is quick and simple.

Visit the registration webpage at http://www.free-library-news.net/

And then sit back and enjoy as the latest news arrives in your inbox twice a month. Or on your next visit to an Essex Library ask staff to sign you up.

With so many great books on the library shelves and new books published every year it’s hard to know what to choose to read next. Enjoy suggestions for what to read, old and new whether you prefer fiction, facts or a bit of both.

The newsletter always tells you about events coming up in libraries. So from children’s events to health checks to author talks, the newsletter will have all the details to make sure you don’t miss out.

They’re always adding to and improving our wide range of services. You can rely on enews to keep you up to date with new developments.

Sign up today and stay in touch with everything Essex Libraries has to offer.

9am – 10.15am

Staff will guide you round the website to help you find the information you are seeking. Basic computer skills would be an advantage, and some background about who you want to find out more about would also help the search.

For more information and to book your place please contact Rayleigh Library on 01268 775830.

Over a four week period you can follow the Go-On sessions to help you to gain the skills and confidence you need to start using computers and the internet.

Go-On will help you to learn how to

• Use a mouse and keyboard
• Search online
• Stay safe online
• Send emails

Whether you’re looking to develop internet skills for a new job or simply save time and money by using the internet to pay your bills- Go-On can help you get the skills you need to get online.

To find out how easy it is to get started call Rayleigh Library on 01268 775830

All these Libraries will be closed on Sunday.

Great Wakering Library   Telephone  01702 219438     

Monday         Closed          Thursday  1.00-5.00
Tuesday       9.00-1.00        Friday      1.00-5.00
Wednesday  Closed           Saturday   9.00 -1.00

Hockley Library                Telephone  01702 203558
Monday        Closed           Thursday   9.00-5.30
Tuesday       9.00-5.30        Friday       9.00-5.30
Wednesday  Closed            Saturday   9.00-5.30 

Hullbridge Library             Telephone  01702 230868
Monday        Closed            Thursday   1.00-5.00
Tuesday       9.00-1.00         Friday       Closed
Wednesday  1.00-5.00         Saturday   9.00-1.00

Rayleigh Library                Telephone  01268 775830
Monday          9.00-5.00      Thursday     9.00-5.00
Tuesday         9.00-5.00       Friday         9.00-5.00
Wednesday    9.00 -5.00      Saturday    9.00-5.00

Rochford Library              Telephone  01702 546688
Monday        Closed            Thursday    9.00-5.30
Tuesday       9.00-5.30         Friday        9.00-5.30
Wednesday  Closed            Saturday    9.00-5.30

Rayleigh Library is offering free starter sessions to help with the content and layout for your C.V.

Designed for those who have never put a C.V. together before, sessions include guidance on computer templates that can be used.

For more information please contact the Library on 01268 775830.

Cards for good causes return to your local library, the perfect way to give to charity while giving to friends and family this Christmas.

In readiness for the Christmas rush, Cards for Good Causes will be on sale in each library offering a great range of cards, from a host of charities.

Whether you favour the beautifully traditional or stylish contemporary, the latest designs from charities as diverse as the NSPCC, Help the Aged, Cancer Research UK, Mencap and The Stroke Association provide a great choice.

Gift paper, tags and calendars will also feature amongst the available stock.

Since 1964, Cards for Good Causes, has been operating in temporary shops, fast becoming the largest charity cards outlet. 75p from each pound spent is guaranteed to be passed to charity.

Essex County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Heritage, Culture and the Arts said;”Essex County Council welcomes the use of its libraries to support such worthy causes.”

• Learning basic computer skills using the BBC’s free Computer Tutor and webwise programmes.
• Widening your use of computers with free UK online sessions.
• Driving Theory test practice. Test your knowledge using the mock tests on line.
• Free ancestry taster sessions
• Special one to one computer tuition tailored to your needs (charge of £10 per hour )

Your local library can be contacted on
Rochford Library 01702 546688
Hockley Library   01702 203558
Hullbridge Library 01702 230868
Rayleigh Library   01268 775830
Great Wakering    01702 219438

For more information please call 01268 77583

Do you want to practice your theory test online?

Try out the hazard perception test too?

The Library can now offer this very useful facility. A Member of staff will be available on Saturday afternoons between 2-3pm to help you access the test, then leave you to complete it.

You can come and use the test site at any time but staff assistance will only be available on Saturdays at the stated time.

For more information and to book your place on a Saturday please call 01268 775830.