Welcome to the Barking and Dagenham Libraries!
Library Card Design Competition
Calling all young artists aged 6 to 12! Design the next official Barking & Dagenham Library card based on one of two exciting themes:
- The Heritage of Barking & Dagenham
- The Future of Barking & Dagenham Libraries
The winning design will be professionally printed and used as the borough’s library card. Deadline: Friday, 19 September 2025.
Submit your artwork to: [email protected]
Brief Details:
- Open to children aged 6 to 12.
- Must be a member of Barking and Dagenham Libraries. Not a member? Join NOW
- Choose one of the two themes: Heritage of Barking & Dagenham or Libraries in the Future.
- Design must be clear and suitable for printing on a standard card size (86.5 x 54mm).
- Entries must include child’s full name and parent/guardian’s name, address and contact number.
- Submit artwork by email to [email protected] by Friday, 31 October 2025. Please include child’s full name, age, school, parent/guardian/carer’s name, contact number and full address.
- Winning design may be adjusted by our in-house design team for print suitability.
- The winning design will be used on Barking & Dagenham library cards.
Benefits of Library Membership:
Joining our libraries is quick, easy, and free. Membership of Barking and Dagenham Library offers you access to our library collections at our libraries and online, mobile apps, ebooks, audio & video books, journals, online courses and all of these services are FREE* for all of our members to use including:
- A library card
- Access to library mobile app to manage your account
- Access to our collection of books, journals, and periodicals for adults and children
- 24/7 e-library access including online encyclopedias, dictionaries, magazines, newspapers, directories, maps, legal information, statistics, family history, streaming music
- Access our library on the go through mobile apps
- Borrow a wide range of items, including books, audiobooks, DVDs, and CDs
- Access to Public PCs at our libraries
- Access to libraries services at 17 local authorities part of The Libraries Consortium
- FREE Access to online courses including Computer Training, Driving Theory Test, IELTS, Life in the UK test
Join the Library and Get your Library Membership Card:
Please click here to join the Barking & Dagenham Library. All you need is one proof of your name and current address. Acceptable documents for joining are:
Acceptable documents are:
- Passport
- Driving Licence
- Council Tax
- Rent Card
- Bank Statement (less than three months old)
- Utility Bill for electricity, gas or telephone (less than 3 months old)
- Tenancy/Lease agreement
- Medical Card
- Benefit or Pension Book
Fill in the online application form by clicking here!
If you are aged 15 or under, you will need your parent or guardian to sign your application form.
You will need to bring in proof of your name and address when you come to collect your library card if you join online.
Your library card is non transferrable. You are responsible for all transactions on your card including computer access and loans.
The Libraries Consortium (TLC)
We are a member of The Libraries Consortium (TLC). By joining the Barking and Dagenham library, you also have full membership rights to libraries in these local authorities (subject to terms in each local authority). The information you supply will also be shared with the local authorities in the TLC for the provision of library services. For full details, please visit The Libraries Consortium website.
If you have library membership of any of the members of TLC local authorities you can use your library card at libraries in Barking and Dagenham.
The Libraries Consortium (TLC) (until recently the London Libraries Consortium) has existed since 2002. It started with two boroughs and now is made up of 23 local authorities, of which 19 are London boroughs: