Renewing your library items
Our Libraries and Archives Service is updating its online pages and loans service. Find out how this will affect you.
Renew your library items
- Visit our Library catalogue website to renew your items. If you have any access problems please refresh your screen
- renew by telephone
- follow our step-by-step instructions on how to renew items online
Items may be renewed up to eight times unless they have been reserved. Some items, such as DVDs, may incur another hire charge: speak to library staff for more information.
Renewing your library items by automated telephone
Before you call
You will need:
- your library membership number, which is printed on your membership card and starts with 20116
How it works
- telephone: 020 7361 3610
- connect to the phone renewal system
- to renew your books, press 2 (account information)
- enter your library membership number as directed, followed by #
The phone renewal system wouldn't let me renew my items
Certain items cannot be renewed by phone; these include items:
- borrowed from outside Kensington and Chelsea (inter-library loans)
- reserved by other readers
- that have exceeded the maximum number of renewals
Who to contact if you encounter a problem
If you have problems using the telephone renewal system, please contact [email protected], or visit your local library and ask a member of staff.
Renewing your library items online
You can now renew items you have on loan from the Library over the internet using the Library catalogue. You will need to log into the library catalogue to renew your items. If you have any access problems please refresh your screen.
Before you go online
You will need:
- your library membership number - which is printed on your membership card and starts with 20116. Important: this number should be entered as one long number. Do not add spaces.
- your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
If you do not know your PIN, you will able to request a new one when you go log onto the catalogue, and one will be automatically generated to your email address. Or you can visit your local library to request your PIN in person. You will need to show your library membership card if you are requesting your PIN in person.
How it works
Click the "My Account" link from the top banner of the catalogue page:
And enter your membership details in the log in window:
After logging in, your account details will be displayed and any overdue items will be highlighted along with an overview of your account.
Choose the Checkouts tab. You will see a list of items you currently have on loan that need to be renewed:
Renewing all your items
To renew all items: at the top of the list, select the Select all tick box, and then click the Renew button.
You will see the new dates for returning your items listed as below:
I have used the online renewal system, but it wouldn't let me renew my items
Certain items cannot be renewed online; these include:
- Items borrowed from outside Kensington and Chelsea (inter-library loans)
- Items that have been reserved by other readers
- Items that have exceeded the maximum number of renewals
- Audio visual items, such as DVDs
If an item cannot be renewed because of these exceptions, you will see an error message similar to:
Who to contact if you have a problem renewing items
If you have problems using the online renewal system, please contact [email protected], or visit your local library and ask a member of staff.
Last updated: 20 March 2025