Book collections

A photo of a bookshelf in the southend library

Borrowing books

You can access the library catalogue at https://elms.koha-ptfs.co.uk

From this link, you can search for items by title, keywords or by subject. This search covers the collections of every NHS library in the East of England or can be narrowed to a specific site or group, and books can be reserved and sent to your chosen library for collection.

Most books may be borrowed for four weeks and will automatically be renewed three times (where applicable), provided that they have not been requested by anyone else. 

Books can be returned to the library or left in the drop boxes available at each site.

Books can be issued and returned using the self-service machine in the library - this is available 24/7.

Requesting books

If we don't have the book you need, we may be able to get it for you through our various library networks.

To request a book when logged in to the library catalogue using your library membership number and password, select ‘Place hold’. You will be notified by email/phone when it is available to collect.

Alternatively, you can email your library with the book details.

In some cases, there will be a charge for book requests - you will be notified if this applies.

New book suggestion

If there is a book that you would like to see on our shelves, please email us at mse.library@nhs.net. 

Special collections

Health and wellbeing

Our libraries have a collection of self-help books on common conditions, such as anxiety, depression and chronic pain. The titles have been selected in consultation with the Occupational Health team. 

To find out more, visit https://elms.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=view&shelfnumber=41 

Mood-Boosting

To complement the health and wellbeing collection, we also have collections of mood-boosting fiction and poetry. 

To find out more, visit https://elms.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=view&shelfnumber=86&sortfield=title 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We have a collection of books related to all areas of equality, diversity and inclusion.

To find out more, visit https://elms.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=view&shelfnumber=88&sortfield=title 

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