Library fees and charges

Find out what it costs to borrow items, use services, or pay library fines.

Fees and charges

It doesn't cost anything to join a library or to borrow books.

There are fees for some other services and there are charges if items you have borrowed are returned late. Concessions may apply for some charges.

Charges for late returns

If library books or other items are returned late you will have to pay an overdue charge. You can telephone 0345 330 0740 (24 hours) to renew library items that you want to keep for longer, you can also renew your items online to avoid late charges.

Please note:

  • Mobile libraries do not have overdue charges, although rehire charges will apply.
  • Children up until their 18th birthday do not pay overdue charges on items borrowed with their own library card.
  • Basic literacy materials do not have overdue charges.
Charges Adult Concessions / Child
Books 25p per day up to a maximum of £6.00

Concessions: 15p per day. Maximum £6.00

Children: No charge

More information on concessions*.

Replacement library card

Charges Adult Concessions
Replacement library card £1.50

Concessions: 75p

Children: First free. Others 75p

Lost, damaged or unreturned items

Children under five years, looked after children and children with special needs and groups for the under 5's do not pay for lost or damaged books when they are borrowed using their own library card. 

Please note:

  • There is a charge for items that are not returned.
  • Rare or expensive items will be individually assessed.
  Hardback charge Paperback charge
Adult fiction £12 £6
Adult non-fiction £15 £10
Children's books £8 £5

 

Lost, damaged or unreturned media and other items.

Item Charge
Audio books & language courses, each CD or cassette £5
MP3CD and Playaway Audio books £20
Loans from the British Library Full charge made by British Library
Inter library loans, not British Library Charge made by owning authority

3D Printing Charges

Please note: This is only available at Newcastle Library and Lichfield Library

Public rate: £1 per hour plus 20p per gram of filament used.

Duration Weight Cost
 1 hour 10 minutes  10g  £1.25 + £2 = £3.25
 2 hours 42 minutes  30g  £2.75 + £6 = £8.75

 Business rate: £2 per hour plus 40p per gram of filament used. 

Duration Weight Cost
1 hour 25 minutes 12g £3 + £4.80 = £7.80 
2 hours 26 minutes 19g £5 + £7.60 = £12.60

 Duration of print jobs are rounded to nearest 15 minutes.