Information, Communication and Reference Services
If you are studying or undertaking research or simply need some local information why not take advantage of our extensive reference and information services. Your library also offers a range of communication services ranging from photocopying to email. Durham County Council subscribes to the EITI Telephone Translation service which provides translation for non English speakers and is available at all libraries. You do not need to be a member of the library to take advantage of many of these services.
Find out what’s on in your Local Community
Libraries offer a wealth of information about your local area ranging from transport and travel to local groups and services. Typically your local library will offer:- Reference copies of bus and rail timetables.
- A selection of free leaflets covering topics ranging from local services and attractions, benefits and health information.
- A selection of BT telephone directories and Yellow Pages.
- Local newspapers.
Libraries also display posters on behalf of local organisations and some have space to accommodate larger displays.
Reference Collections
Your library contains a collection of quick reference books for use in the library. Typically this will include:- Encyclopaedias
- Encyclopedia Britannica Online
- English and foreign language dictionaries
- Almanacs and Directories
- Books of Quotations
- Careers Guides
- Maps and Atlases
- Subject Dictionaries covering Arts, Music and other topics
- Guides to antiques
- Which Magazine
In addition, by logging on to Library Online registered members of the library have free access to a range of Online Reference resources.
Community Legal Service
All our libraries have achieved the Community Legal Service Assisted Information Quality Mark. The Community Legal Services Directory for the North East is available for reference use and we also keep copies of relevant leaflets. You can also consult the Community Legal Services Directory onlineBritish Standards Online
The full text of British Standards are available on-line in Durham County Libraries. In order to comply with the licensing requirements of the British Standards Institute, only library members who live within the County or firms based in County Durham, holding a corporate membership ticket, will be able to have a print out. Printouts are for 1 week loan only and must be returned. Printouts are also subject to the usual charges and finesDerwentside Community Information Points
Derwentside Community Information Points support local access to information in Derwentside. Users have access to information on a variety of topics ranging from housing and benefits to local events and activities in their local Community Information Point.Photocopying
All our libraries offer a photocopying service. A4 Black and White photocopies can be obtained in all our branch libraries, but many libraries also offer A3 copies. See your local library for further information. Colour photocopies may be obtained from Durham Clayport Library. Please note that we do charge for our photocopying service.Fax Service
Bishop Auckland, Consett, Crook Durham Clayport, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee and Spennymoor libraries also offer a fax service. Fax offers you the facility to receive or transmit facsimile copies of material such as documents, diagrams, maps, charts plans or statistical tables anywhere in the world. Fax is quick and accuate combining the advantages of telephone and post. Again you do not need to be a member of the library to take advantage of this service but some charges and fines apply. If you wish to use the fax service please remember:- You will need to know the FAX number of the machine to which the copies will be sent.
- We cannot send sheets any wider than A4.
- The fax will only transmit in black and white.
- Transmissions must comply with the copyright law.
- It may not be possible to transmit documents immediately due to demands on staff time.
- Should immediate transmission not be possible due to problems on the receiving fax only two further attempts will be made.
- It is the responsibility of the sender to notify you of any incoming documents which must be collected during normal opening hours.
