Library charges and fines

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You can borrow books free of charge. There are charges to borrow DVDs and talking books. Talking books are free in some cases.

Overdue charges

Please return the items you have borrowed as soon as you realise they are overdue. We will charge you for items that are returned late.

If you notice that your loans are overdue, but can’t immediately return them to the library, arrange for the items to be renewed. Renewal is usually possible if the items have not been requested by other borrowers. If your loans are overdue when you renew them, the overdue charges do not increase – providing you return the items before the new due date.

If you have given us an email address, you can ask us to email you a reminder two days before your items are due to be returned.

We hope that these emails are helpful, but do not rely on them as the only method of reminding yourself that the items you have borrowed are due to be returned. We will not waive overdue charges because the email has not been delivered or if you haven’t received it.

Overdue charges are charged to encourage borrowers to return items so that all borrowers have as much variety of choice as possible. The income from these overdue charges, along with other income, goes towards buying new books and other material.

Please note

Children’s items borrowed by children (on a child’s card) receive reduced rate overdue charges
Children’s items borrowed on using an adult membership card will incur adult charges

Reservation charges

Adults are charged to request an item that is in stock or to order one that is not in stock.

Children do not pay to reserve children’s items (up to six items at one time) but pay a charge for other material.

Please note

Children’s items requested by children (using a child’s card) will still be free
Children’s items requested using an adult membership card will incur adult charges
Standard request and hire charges will apply to all DVDs

Lost or damages items

If an item is damaged please tell us when you return the item. We will assess the damage, and make a charge for replacing the item or repairing it, if that is possible.

If you lose an item please tell us as soon as you can. A charge will be made for the cost of replacing it. We will give you a receipt for the payment of a lost item. If the lost item is later found and returned with the receipt, we will refund you, less a £2.10 administration charge.

Our charges

Requests placed by library customers or staff

Performing Arts charges, including subscription fees and request charges, are shown on the Performing Arts Library page.

Adults	£1.00 per item
Children requesting children’s books or talking books, on a child’s membership card	Free (maximum of six books)
Placed by children on items other than children’s books or talking books	50p per item
For titles obtained outside LibrariesWest Consortium	£4.00 per item (£1.00 standard fee plus £3.00 additional fee for inter-library loan request)
For periodical articles obtained outside LibrariesWest Consortium	£4.00 per article (£1.00 standard fee plus £3.00 additional fee for inter-library loan request)

Requests for reading groups

Charge per set

£5.50

Overdue charges per item (books, DVDs and talking books)

Adult items	20p per day to a maximum of £7.80
Children’s items	5p per day to a maximum of £2.10
Children under 5	No charge for children’s books borrowed on an under 5s card
DVDs	40p per day, up to a maximum of £8.40

Replacement of lost membership cards

Adults and children

£2.00

Damaged or lost items

Damaged library materials	See Library Charges leaflet
Lost library materials	See Library Charges leaflet (receipt will be given)
Refunds: If the lost item is subsequently found and returned with the receipt, a refund, less a £2.10 administration charge, will be made.

Talking books (3 week loan period)

Loans of talking books including language sets

£2.00

DVDs per week

DVD hire charge	£2.00
DVD premium films hire charge	£3.00

DVDs per fortnight

DVD boxed sets

£4.00

Photocopies and computer printouts

Photocopies (black and white)	10p per copy (10% discount if over £5.00 spent)
Prints from microfilm/fiche	50p per page
Prints from PCs: black and white	15p per side
Prints from PCs: colour	40p per side

Fax transmissions

	First page	Each subsequent page
UK	£1.10	60p
Europe	£2.10	60p
Rest of the world	£3.10	60p
Inward transmissions	60p for each A4 page

Talks to community groups

Daytime	£15 donation (or equivalent value in books)
Evening	£40 donation (or equivalent value in books)

Lettings (all libraries except Taunton – see below)

	Half day (up to 4 hours)	Whole Day
Main library room	£40.00	£75.00
Small room	£20.00	£50.00
Cancellation fee within four weeks of date booked is 25% of relevant charge (all bookings).
Note: For Taunton Library charges please see below

Charges for Taunton meetings room:

Prices are inclusive of VAT and the use of the kitchenette (consumables such as coffee, tea, milk are to be paid for and brought in by the booking organisation or group)

Daytime
Half day (up to 4 hours)	£65.00
Full day	£99.00
Sunday and bank holiday supplement	£21.00
Evening
Minimum charge (for up to 2 hours)	£65.00
Each subsequent hour	£26.00
Sunday and bank holiday supplement	£21.00
Cancellation fee within four weeks of date booked (all bookings).	25% of relevant charge

Displays/Exhibitions in libraries

20% commission on all sales only (VAT charged as applicable)

Note: For Taunton Library charges please see below

Displays/Exhibitions in Taunton Library

Non third sector organisation – for all exhibitions £70 or 20% of sales, whichever is the greater (VAT charged as applicable)

Third sector organisations – for all exhibitions £35 or 20% of sales, whichever is the greater (VAT charged as applicable)

Note. Third sector exhibitors comprise non-governmental and non-profit-making organisations or associations, such as charities and voluntary and community groups. Use of the exhibition space will be allocated at the sole discretion of the County Council. Applicability of charges will be determined at the sole discretion of the County Council and will be agreed with exhibitors before a booking is confirmed.

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Library charges