Fines and Fees

When do I get charged fines?

Overdue fines are charged for any material that is not returned on or before the due date. Fines were established as an incentive for a prompt return of materials so that they will be available to others. Fines begin accruing the day after the item is due.

Items continue to accrue fines until they are returned, renewed or marked as lost.

How will I know if I have fines?

When you borrow material using self-checkout, as soon as you scan your library card a message will display indicating whether you have fines owing and/or items overdue

If you have an item or items overdue, you will be notified by phone or email:

• Seven days after the item is due, and
• Five weeks days after the item is due
• If an item is overdue for seven weeks, you will receive a final billing notice in the mail for the cost of the item
• You can also check your account online

What happens if I have fines?

Fines under $10.00 will not affect your account privileges.

The library prevents customers from taking out books or other materials if they have

• more than 15 items overdue, or
• more than $10.00 in fines or charges, which includes both unpaid fines on returned materials and fines accruing on items not yet returned, or
• If either of the above happens, your account will be blocked, and you will be prevented from accessing some of the library's services.

If your account is blocked you can:

To unblock your account, you will need to return any overdue materials and pay any outstanding fines.

How do I pay my fines?

• Sign in to your account and pay your fines online
• Visit your branch to pay your fines

How can I avoid fines?

·         Renew your items

To avoid fines, renew items where possible if you require them longer than the due date of the item.

·         Sign up for email notification

You can opt in to receive due date reminder notices two days before your items are due. Please note here that emails are courtesy notices and not receiving an email notice is not a valid reason to waive overdue fine

·         Return your materials on time

Library materials can be returned to any library branch. All the branches have 24-hour book drops for your convenience. Note: Any unreturned materials that are overdue continue to accrue fines - renewing your items and returning them on time are the most effective ways to avoid fines.

·         Pick up (or cancel) your holds before they expire

To avoid the Holds Not Picked Up fine, cancel your holds or pick them up by the pickup date.

What happens if I lose something I borrowed?

You'll have to pay the purchase price plus $5 processing fee of the item. The library generally accepts a replacement copy plus a $5 processing fee. The replacement copy, in this case, should be exactly the same in terms of edition and ISBN numbers. If something is overdue by more than 40 days, the library considers it lost.

What happens if I find a lost item that I have already paid for?

The library doesn’t have a refund policy so you can keep the material once reported lost and paid for.

What happens if the library says I haven't returned something that I know it has been returned?

If enough time has gone by, and the item is still on your account, you can speak to library staff, and they can mark the item as "claimed returned." Branches get a list of items marked reported returned and search for them regularly. If the item is not checked in or out within 90 days, it is marked lost, and a replacement charge will be added to your account.

Does the library charge any other fines or fees?

Not picking up a hold or interlibrary loan

·         There is a $1.00 fine for each hold or interlibrary loan you do not check out or cancel by the pickup date.