Library fees and charges
You can avoid late return charges by:
- returning items to a library on or before the date they are due
- renewing online
- renewing items on the LibraryPlus app
- letting the library know if you will be away on holiday when books are due back
If we have your email address we will send you automatic email reminders 3 days before your items are due.
Please note: you should not rely on this service to avoid late returns. The non-receipt of an email, for whatever reason (including conditions on the web or any interruption to the service itself), is not a valid reason to waive charges. The email reminder is an additional courtesy service only.
Loan periods
Staff are not permitted to vary loan periods to individual customers without authority.
The library's principal librarian can permit a further loan period of up to 21 days and loan periods over 42 days (6 weeks) if they agree.
Faulty stock items
If an item was faulty when you received it, please report it to a member of staff.
Lost or damaged stock items
Replacement costs for lost or damaged items are based on actual prices and include a £5 handling charge except where stated. A receipt will be issued when payment is made for a lost item.
If the item is subsequently found, money paid (less the handling charge) may be refunded on production of the item together with the Northamptonshire County Council official receipt or the till receipt.
Charges are based on average prices paid by Northamptonshire Libraries for new stock. For all items other than DVDs and blu-rays, customers can provide an identical replacement (plus £5 handling charge).
Fees and charges: methods of payment
Fees and charges can be paid online using the library catalogue by logging into your account or at your local library.
List of fees and charges
Overdue book charges
Static library
Books issued from a static library on the following cards.
| Borrower card | Charge |
|---|---|
| Adult | £0.35 per day open to a maximum of £14.70 per book |
| 5 to 18 | £0.05 per day open to a maximum of £2.10 per book |
| Under 5 | No charge |
Reservation charges
Library members can reserve items that are held in any public library in Northamptonshire.
| Borrower category | Charge |
|---|---|
| Adult | Charge to reserve a single item £1.50 (non-refundable) |
| 11 to 17 | No charge to order items held in stock by Northamptonshire Libraries |
| Under 11 | No charge to order items held in stock by Northamptonshire Libraries |
Stock hire charges
Multimedia items
Audio books, DVDs, blu-ray and other items are hired at their hire charge rate for each loan period or part loan period that items are kept beyond the date they are due for return.
| Audio books - on CD and tape | Charge |
|---|---|
| Adult audio books (no charge for reading impaired borrowers including those with dyslexia) | £1.80 per item |
| Children's audio books (no charge for reading impaired borrowers including those with dyslexia) | £0.80 per item |
| DVDs and blu-rays | Charge |
|---|---|
| Single DVDs or blu-rays | £2.50 per item for 1 week |
| DVDs or blu-rays: sets of 3 discs or more | £4.00 per set for 2 weeks |
| Children's non-feature DVDs or blu-rays | £1.50 per item |
| Language courses | Charge |
|---|---|
| Single language courses | £1.50 per item |
| Multi-part language courses | £3.50 per item |
Music score sets
| Number of sets borrowed (maximum of 50 copies per set) | Charge |
|---|---|
| Maximum of 10 music score sets (per year), of up to 50 copies per set | £280 |
| Individual charge for music scores up to 50 copies | £35 |
| Up to 50 additional copies of music score sets | £30 |
| Late return charge for a 3 week re-hire period (or part of) - per set. | £10 |
Playsets
| Charge |
|---|
| £5 for 3 weeks. There will be an extra £5 charge for a 3 week re-hire period (or part of). |
Charges for hiring library rooms, IT suites and exhibition space
Hire of exhibition space (where available)
| Charge |
|---|
|
£50 plus VAT (minimum charge); 20% of sales plus VAT |
Hire of rooms or space in libraries
There are exhibition areas, meeting rooms, computer facilities and spaces in several libraries, which can be hired for displays, sales events, meetings and activities.
To arrange hiring please contact the library directly.
| Category | Charge |
|---|---|
| Non-private space | £7 per hour |
| Private space not for profit |
£10.50 per hour, plus a standard charge of £35 per hour for caretaking or staff time where required. |
| Private space commercial |
£16.50 per hour, plus a standard charge of £35 per hour for caretaking or staff time where required. |
Hire of the Carnegie Room at Northampton Central Library
| Category | Charge |
|---|---|
| Not for profit |
£16.50 per hour, plus a standard charge of £35 per hour for caretaking or staff time where required. |
| Commercial | £18 per hour, plus a standard charge of £35 per hour for caretaking or staff time where required |
Computer and internet service
Computer and internet service
There is both a free service and a charged for service in all libraries with free computer hire on Fridays.
Please note: terms and conditions do apply; charges for printing and photocopying remain in place.
| Category | Charge | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Online reference | Free | The online reference section includes access to thousands of recommended websites including subscription websites purchased by Northamptonshire Libraries to allow library members to use them for free |
| Computer hire | £1 minimum charge for up to 20 minutes use; thereafter, £1 for each subsequent 20 minutes of use. Please note: Payment is in advance for the time you think you will need. There are no refunds for unused time. |
Access to:
|
| Booking a computer | Free (library members can book in advance) | |
Charges for laminating, photocopying, printing
Laminating
Please ask staff about laminating your documents.
| Size | Charge |
|---|---|
| A4 and smaller | £1.65 per sheet |
| A3 | £3.30 per sheet |
Photocopying
| Size and colour | Charge |
|---|---|
| A4 black and white | £0.20 per sheet; multiple copies 10p per sheet for a minimum of 50 copies from 1 original |
| A4 colour | £0.70 per sheet; multiple copies at £0.50 per sheet for a minimum of 50 copies from one original |
| A3 black and white | £0.30 per sheet; multiple copies at £0.15 per sheet for a minimum of 50 copies from 1 original |
| A3 colour | £1 per sheet; multiple copies at £0.75 per sheet from a minimum of 50 copies from 1 original |
Printing
| Size and Colour | Charge |
|---|---|
| A4 black and white | £0.20 per sheet; multiple copies 10p per sheet for a minimum of 50 copies from 1 original |
| A3 black and white | £0.30 per sheet; multiple copies at £0.15 per sheet for a minimum of 50 copies from 1 original |
| A4 colour | £0.70 per sheet; multiple copies at £0.50 per sheet for a minimum of 50 copies from one original |
| A3 colour | £1 per sheet; multiple copies at £0.75 per sheet from a minimum of 50 copies from 1 original |
| Microfilm and microfiche printouts | £0.80 per sheet |
Items for sale
Adult books
| Category | charge |
|---|---|
| Hardback non-fiction/information | £1.55 or as individually priced |
| Paperback non-fiction/information | £0.50 or as individually priced |
| Hardback fiction/novels | £0.50 or as individually priced |
| Paperback fiction/novels | £0.25 or as individually priced |
Children's books
| Category | Charge |
|---|---|
| Hardback non-fiction/information | £0.50 or as individually priced |
| Hardback fiction/novels | £0.40 or as individually priced |
| Paperbacks | £0.25 or as individually priced |
| Picture books | £0.50 or as individually priced |
Items for sale
Sales of withdrawn and donated stock are held regularly in libraries across Northamptonshire. Large or specific sales, e.g. withdrawn CDs, are in the local press. Most libraries have a small selection of sales stock at all times.
Multimedia
| Category | Charge |
|---|---|
| Audiobooks on CD | £5 |
| DVDs and blu-rays | £2 or as individually priced |
Charges for lost or damaged items
Books
| Category | Charge (includes £5 handling charge) |
|---|---|
| Adult non-fiction hardback | £16.67 |
| Adult non-fiction paperback | £12.25 |
| Adult fiction hardback | £14.06 |
| Adult fiction paperback | £9.99 |
| Graphic novel | £12.99 |
| Child non-fiction hardback | £12.73 |
| Child non-fiction paperback | £10.07 |
| Child fiction hardback | £11.44 |
| Child fiction paperback | £9.88 |
| Young adult non-fiction hardback | £13.97 |
| Young adult non-fiction paperback | £11.07 |
| Young adult fiction hardback | £12.74 |
| Young adult fiction paperback | £10.38 |
| Giant picture book | £16.31 |
| Large print adult non-fiction hardback | £23.76 |
| Large print adult non-fiction paperback | £19.17 |
| Large print adult fiction hardback | £19.17 |
| Large print adult fiction paperback | £15.83 |
DVDs and blu-ray discs
| Category | charge |
|---|---|
| Single DVD or blu-ray disc | £19.50 |
| Complete sets | As per purchase price plus £5 handling charge |
Membership cards
Charge - £2.50 each (includes administration charge)
Permission Fee for photos
For commercial
Charge - £50
Story sacks
Story sacks can be hired to enjoy with your child at home.
Charge - £1 per week. Please note that the story sacks are hired at their hire charge rate for each loan period or part loan period that they are kept beyond the date they are due for return.
Last updated 22 July 2022