Paying library charges
You can:
- log in to your library account to pay by debit or credit card online
- pay by cash or cheque, if you visit a library
- pay by debit or credit card in person, at Central Library, Cambridge, Huntingdon Library or Wisbech Library
- post a cheque to the library (contact your local library for details using the contact form at the bottom of the webpage)
We don't recommend sending cash by post. Cash sent through the post is at the sender's risk.
Account limits
Library cards are temporarily suspended when charges on an account reach our limits of:
- £10 for adult borrowers
- £5 for juniors
Renewing items
You can renew an item borrowed from Cambridgeshire Libraries up to 3 times. They cannot be renewed if someone else places a reservation on the item.
Fees for items borrowed from static and mobile libraries
The borrowing period for items from static libraries is 3 weeks.
The borrowing period for items from mobile libraries is 5 weeks.
| Item | Borrowing charge | Overdue charge (per item per day) | Maximum charge per item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard books and individual music scores | Free | 25p | £5 |
| Junior and young adult books, and audiobooks | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Standard audio books, language courses | £1.10 | 25p | £13 |
| DVDs, Blu-Ray and music CDs | £1 | 25p | £9 |
Overdue charges
There are no overdue charges on children’s and teen books and audiobooks. All other stock will have overdue charges applied. Charges are based on the number of days that the library which issued the item is open. The total overdue fine is calculated when an item is returned.
We can temporarily freeze overdue charges in certain situations - if you:
- have already returned an item which is still showing as outstanding on your account
- never borrowed an item on your account
- have lost an item
Overdue charges for mobile libraries
Overdue charges for items borrowed from mobile libraries only apply after 15 weeks. When you have missed three visits.
Borrowing online resources
| Item | Borrowing period | Borrowing charge | Overdue charge (per item per visit) |
Maximum charge (per item) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eAudio and eBooks | 3 weeks | Free | N/A - items are returned automatically | N/A - items are returned automatically |
| eMagazines and eNewspapers | Varies | Free | N/A - items are returned automatically | N/A - items are returned automatically |
Reservations
If your local library does not have the item you would like to borrow and it is in stock at one of our other libraries, use the library catalogue to place a reservation to have the item delivered to the library of your choice.
- All children’s and teen items are free to reserve.
- There is a charge of 50p to reserve all other stock for delivery to your chosen library.
- For borrowers registered as Library at Home reservations are free.
SPINE reservations
If Cambridgeshire Libraries does not have the item you would like to borrow, you can use the SPINE catalogue to search and reserve items from Peterborough and Suffolk, to have the item delivered to the library of your choice. There is a charge of £2 per item for this service. This helps cover the cost of transporting the item to the selected library.
Inter-library loans
Any items requested from other authorities' libraries (inter-library loan) will be charged at £8.50 each. If an item is to be obtained from the British Library, the charge will be £20.60 and £6 per renewal, but requestors will be contacted for confirmation to proceed with the request. Charges will still apply for uncollected items.
Replacement library cards
Library cards are issued free of charge when you join.
A replacement library card costs £1.50 (junior), £2.50 (adult) and can be obtained from your local library.
Staff will need to see a valid identification document before issuing replacement cards.
Valid identification documents include:
- driving licence
- birth certificate
- passport
- ID card
- pension or rent book
- bus pass with printed name
- library card from another library service
- named school books (under 16’s only)
Lost or damaged borrowed items
Full replacement costs are charged on borrowed items which are lost or damaged beyond repair. For materials which are out of print or no longer obtainable, standard charges are applied.
Once an item is 83 days overdue, a lost charge will be applied to your account. You will not be able to borrow new items if the amount owed on your account exceeds our account limits.
If a lost item is returned the lost fee is automatically cancelled. There may still be overdue charges to pay.
Please note that parents are not charged for books damaged by children under the age of five years. This applies only to under-fives material for example board and picture books and rhyme collections. It does not apply to adult books.
We have three different categories for concessions.
Concessions if you are housebound
If you have mobility or health problems, or have caring responsibilities, you can be registered as a housebound library member. We Require a letter from your doctor or social worker confirming that you cannot get to or from the library without help.
- The concessions apply even where a friend or relative delivers your library items
- Your items will be given a three-month loan period
- No hire or overdue charges will be made for audio-visual materials
- Charges will be made for loss or damage
- We can arrange for a volunteer from the Library at Home service to deliver and collect items for you
Difficulty with books
If you are unable to use books because of visual impairment, dyslexia or another condition you can be registered for this service.
- no hire or overdue charges for audio books, CDs or CD-ROMs (charges will be made for lost or damaged items)
- three free pages of black and white printing per day
- require proof such as CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment) or BD8 (Blind or Partially Sighted certificate), certificate or letter from your doctor or optician or a letter from your social worker confirming your difficulty or condition
Find out more about library services for people with a visual or print impairment.
Skills for Life students
We require a letter from your tutor for proof. This concession does not apply to language school students. Concessions will no longer apply when students have completed their course.
- No hire or overdue charges for audio books, CDs or CD-ROMs (charges will be made for lost or damaged items)
- Three free pages of black and white printing per day
Scanning is free, but copyright regulations apply.
Services vary. You can check local library facilities in the Cambridgeshire Online Directory.
Photocopying and printing charges
| Paper size | Current price |
|---|---|
| A4 black and white printing/photocopying | £0.20 |
| A3 black and white photocopying and printing (available in selected libraries) | £0.40 |
| A4 colour printing/photocopying | £0.75 |
| A3 colour photocopying and printing (available in selected libraries) |
£1.25 |
The printers take all coins apart from 2p and 1p pieces. Library members can add printing charges to their account.
We can display posters and leaflets in libraries for you as long as they meet our Policy on exhibitions, displays, posters, leaflets and petitions in libraries.
Charges for displaying commercial material
| Poster size | Price |
| A3 poster | £10 per month or part thereof |
| A4 poster | £6 per month or part thereof |
| A5 poster | £4 per month or part thereof |
| A5 leaflets | £5 per 50 leaflets (or smaller) per month |
| Multiple leaflets/fliers |
10% discount on the above prices |
The table above does not include prices for Cambridge Central Library and some city branches where a Premium Poster Service operates. Please ask these libraries for specific information.
Contact us
- online contact form - choose 'Libraries' as the service you require.
- Telephone 0345 045 5225 - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
