How does click and collect work?

The click and collect service allows customers to borrow resources through a safe and controlled collection system.

  • You can reserve items as normal using the online catalogue or request a 'pick and mix' selection by email.
  • You will be contacted when your items are ready for collection.

Will click and collect cost me anything?

  • There are charges for making reservations but children's and teen books are always free to reserve. You can place 15 reservations at any one time.
  • There are charges to borrow audiobooks on CD. 

Who can use click and collect?

Click and collect is available to all members of Milton Keynes Libraries.

Library cardholders

  • If you have a library card and PIN you can log in to your account and browse the library catalogue.
  • Choose your books and reserve them online.
  • There are charges for making reservations but children's and teen books are always free to reserve. You can place 15 reservations at any one time.
  • If you have forgotten your PIN follow the instructions on the borrow and renew library books webpages.

Online members

If you have joined Milton Keynes Libraries online and have not yet received a library card, you will have a temporary membership number beginning with MK and a PIN. You can use that information to log in to your account and browse the library catalogue. Your library card will be included with your books when you collect your first click and collect order.

  • Choose your books and reserve them online.
  • There are charges for making reservations but children's and teen books are always free to reserve.
  • You will be able to borrow up to 3 items.

If you have forgotten your PIN follow the instructions on the borrow and renew library books webpages.

New members

If you're not an existing member of Milton Keynes libraries you can join online and borrow up to 3 items straightaway using the click and collect service. You'll also be able to access digital books, audiobooks and magazines.

Where and when can I collect my books?

We do not provide bags, so please bring a bag with you when you come to collect your books.

Your order can be collected from any of the ten Milton Keynes Libraries. View the opening hours for each library.

You will need to tell us your name and show the library card(s) used to place the order (or ID in the case of temporary memberships).

When your books are ready for collection, you will be contacted by email or letter. Please try to collect your books promptly and be sure to practise social distancing. If your books have not been collected within 2 weeks, they will be returned to stock and your order cancelled.

What items can I reserve?

  • You can reserve any fiction and non-fiction books and audiobooks which are on the library catalogue.
  • You can borrow books from the extended SELMS catalogue for a £3 charge.
  • Magazines cannot be reserved - but members have free access to unlimited digital magazines.
  • There is a limit of 15 reservations at any one time.
  • There are charges to borrow audiobooks.

Adult fiction and non-fiction

Online reservations

Browse the library catalogue and reserve your books online using your account login details as normal.

There are charges for making reservations but children's and teen books are always free to reserve. You can place 15 reservations at any one time.

'Pick and mix' selection

We are operating a 'pick and mix' option for adult fiction and non-fiction books, where a member of staff will select a variety of books for you and this is a free service. If you require specific titles, please reserve these online in the usual way.

To request a 'pick and mix' order for click and collect you will need to email the library and tell us:

  • Your library card number
  • The type of books you enjoy
  • Authors you enjoy
  • How many books you would like
  • Any particular interests or series
  • Your chosen pickup location

We will email you when the books are ready for collection. We cannot guarantee specific titles will be included.

  • Library members who have a library card or have joined online can borrow up to 3 books.
  • Upgraded library members (with library card and proven ID/address) can borrow up to 15 items.
  • These limits will determine how many books can be selected for you regardless of your request.

Children and young adult

Fiction and non-fiction

Browse the library catalogue and reserve your books online using your account login details as normal. Reservations for children's and teen books are always free. There are charges to borrow audiobooks on CD.

Baby books and picture books

We're operating a free 'pick and mix' option for baby books and picture books, where a member of staff will select a variety of books for you. These books cannot be reserved online through the catalogue.

To request a 'pick and mix' order for click and collect you will need to email the library and tell us:

  • Your library card number(s)
  • The type of books you would like (board books, picture books, mixture)
  • The age(s) of the reader(s)
  • How many books you would like
  • Any particular interests or series
  • Your chosen pickup location

We will email you when the books are ready for collection. We cannot guarantee specific titles will be included.

  • Library members who have a library card or have joined online can borrow up to 3 books.
  • Upgraded library members (with library card and proven ID/address) can borrow up to 15 items.
  • These limits will determine how many books can be selected for you regardless of your request.

Fact and subject books

We are operating a free 'pick and mix' option for children's books on a particular subject as it may be useful for home learning. A member of staff will select a variety of books for you.

To request an order for pick and mix you will need to email the library and tell us:

  • Your library card number
  • The subject of the books required
  • The age(s) of the reader(s)
  • How many books you would like
  • Your chosen pickup location

We will email you when the books are ready for collection. We cannot guarantee specific titles will be available.

  • Library members who have a library card or have joined online can borrow up to 3 books.
  • Upgraded library members (with library card and proven ID/address) can borrow up to 15 items.
  • These limits will determine how many books can be selected for you regardless of your request.

How do I choose my books?

  • Visit the library catalogue and either browse the sections or use the search box to find your favourite titles or authors.
  • You will need to log in to your library account in order to place a reservation.
  • There is a limit of 15 reservations at any one time.
  • There are charges for making reservations but children's and teen books are always free to reserve.
  • There are charges to borrow audiobooks.

How many books can I borrow?

  • Library members (with library card) can borrow up to 3 items.
  • Upgraded library members (with library card and proven ID/address) can borrow up to 15 items.
  • Online library members (with temporary membership number beginning MK) can borrow up to 3 items.

Members who joined online and have a temporary membership number will receive their new library card with their first click and collect order and will then become registered library members.

How do I reserve a book?

  • Visit the library catalogue and either browse the sections or use the search box to find your favourite titles or authors.
  • You will need to log in to your library account in order to place a reservation.
  • There is a limit of 15 reservations at any one time.
  • There are charges for making reservations but children's and teen books are always free to reserve.
  • There are charges to borrow audiobooks.

You can find step by step instructions on how to make an online reservation on the reservations and requests webpage.

How will I know when my books are ready for collection?

It is very important that you check your online account details to ensure that your email address and/or postal address are current and correct. If they are not, we will have no way to contact you. You can update your personal details by logging in to your library account.

  • We will contact you by email or letter when your books are ready for collection.
  • You have 2 weeks to collect your books before the order is cancelled, and the books returned to stock.

We will endeavour to gather as many items as possible from your order before contacting you. There may be some books that are unavailable because there are long waiting lists. Rather than delay your order, we will include the majority of your books and arrange collection.

Can someone else collect my books?

We do not provide bags, so please bring one with you when you come to collect your books.

We understand that one household may have multiple library members and click and collect orders. We are happy for a representative to collect your order, or multiple orders, but they should present library cards (or ID) for all orders placed.

  • You have 2 weeks to collect your order.
  • If your books have not been collected within 2 weeks, they will be returned to stock and your order cancelled.

If you are unable to make your collection, our staff are available to discuss alternative arrangements and you can call us on 01908 254050 or email us about click and collect.

When do I need to return my books?

  • Books and audiobooks are issued for a 4-week loan period.
  • This loan period begins on the date you collect them and use the self-service kiosk to issue them to your card.

Books can be renewed online or by telephone 4 times unless they have been requested by another customer. Full details about renewing books can be found on the borrow and renew library books webpages. If you have any problems, you can call us on 01908 254050.

How do I return my books?

Any books from any of the Milton Keynes libraries - whether borrowed through click and collect or not - can be returned to any of the libraries during the opening hours.

Find your nearest library.

Books can be returned whenever you have finished with them and you do not need to wait until you have finished them all, or for the due dates.

Can someone help me?

If you have any questions or need help with the click and collect process in any way, you can telephone us on 01908 254050 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-6pm, Thursday 9am-8pm or Saturday 9am-5pm or you can email us.

Milton Keynes City Council Libraries contact information

Milton Keynes Central Library, 555 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3HL