Membership is free

Just join here

Once joined you'll be asked to verify your email then you will be emailed a temporary membership number.

You will need an actual Idea Store membership card to get out books and reserve items online and use our elibrary. You will have to visit an Idea Store for this.

Just go along to an Idea Store with your temporary card number above, and take some form of ID with your name and address on it. You'll be given a card.

If you are unable to provide ID with your name and address you will be issued with a temporary membership card for three months that enables you to:

• borrow 2 books for up to 3 weeks
• book up to 3 Internet sessions per day
• Access to online resources such as ebooks, audiobooks, online newspapers and magazines.

With you Idea Store card you can order books in advance using our CLICK AND COLLECT service. Choose a book on our online catalogue and we'll email to let you know when it’s ready to collect.

When visiting the Idea Store, please remember to bring your Idea Store Card, in case you decide to borrow items. You can also use your digital card from the Idea Store App (Opens a new window)

Terms of Membership

• I understand that I must comply with the Idea Store/Library Rules and Regulations (please ask staff to see a copy, also available on our website).
• I certify that the details given are correct and accept responsibility for items borrowed on this card.
• I agree to use the Internet facility appropriately.
• In Idea Stores we operate within the guidelines of the Council's data protection scheme which are as follows:

The information that you provide will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This authority has a duty to protect public funds it administers, and may use information held about you for the prevention and detection of fraud and other lawful purposes.

The council will also use the information for the purpose of performing any of its statutory enforcement duties. It will make any disclosures required by law and may also share this information with other bodies responsible for detecting/preventing fraud or auditing/administering public funds. This may include, but not be limited to, matching council tax data with electoral registration records and the passing of the full version of the electoral register to the Audit Commission for the National Fraud Initiative.

We will not disclose your information to third parties for marketing purposes and your data will be secure and confidential at all times. However, information about you will be shared with other library authorities in The Libraries Consortium.

• The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is committed to achieving equality of opportunity as an employer and as a service provider to people who live and work in the Borough.
• I am the parent or guardian of the applicant. I certify that the details given are correct and accept responsibility for items borrowed.
• Please inform a member of staff if you do not wish your child to use the Internet in Idea Stores/Libraries.