As of January 2nd, 2020, Wake County Public Libraries have gone late fee free.
This means that there will be no more late fees charged on overdue items, and all existing late fees on accounts are erased, giving everyone a fresh start.
That’s a great way to start the New Year!
Wake County Public Libraries is the first library system in the Triangle to eliminate late fees. Read on for a list of the late fee policies at other Triangle libraries.
You’re still responsible for lost or damaged books and other materials, and you’re encouraged to return books in a timely way to make them available to others.
Here are the circulation policies, as of January 2nd 2020:
- Check-out period: 3 weeks, not including e-materials and InterLibrary Loan items
- Renewal limit: 2 renewals, 3 weeks each. (Excludes Lucky Day and Books on Request)
- Check-out limit: 100 items
- “Long Overdue”: 3 weeks after the due date a replacement cost for the item will be added to your account. However, it will be cleared when the book is returned.
- Borrowing privileges suspended: If you have three or more items in “Long Overdue” status you won’t be able to borrow more items until the items are returned or paid for.
More services available at Wake County Public Libraries
Besides its collection of books and other materials for borrowing, Wake County Public Libraries offers a lot more:
- Download books for free
- Free events every day–everything from storytime for babies to live music to crafts for teens to Tai Chi.
- Conference Rooms: Conference rooms are available for community and educational purposes at no cost. Reservations required.
- Book Club Kits: Reserve a bag of 15 copies of a book for 6 weeks. Includes a discussion guide.
- Express Book Bag: Fill out a brief form with some information about what you like, and Wake County Public Libraries will prepare a bag of three books for you to pick up at a regional library.
- Resume review: An Adult Services Librarian will review your resume and cover letter and help you navigate online applications.
- Tech Tutor: An Adult Services Librarian can help you with basic computer skills. Windows computers only.
Late fees at other libraries in the Triangle
Durham County Library
- $0.25 a day per item
- 3-day grace period
- $1 per item charged on 4th day overdue
- Maximum fine: $5 per item
Orange County Public Library
- Adult books, CDs magazines, and audio books: $0.20/day; $5 max
- Children’s books, CDs magazines, and audiobooks: $0.10/day; $2 max
- Literacy bags, Kindles, WiFi to Go, and Book Club Kits: $1/day; $5 max
- Movies: $1/day; $5 max
- Young Adult books, CDs and magazines: $0.20/day; $5 max
Chapel Hill Public Library
- Most materials: $0.25/day; $5 max
- Book kits: $2.50/day; No max
- Digital Media Lab equipment: $2.50/day; No max
- Grace period: three days after due date for all items except Digital Media Lab equipment or Book Kits
Chatham County Library
- Six day grace period for all items except DVDs and Interlibrary loan items
- Books, audio book or magazine: $0.20/day; $5 max
- DVDs: $1/day; $10 max
- InterLibrary Loans: $1/day
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Mary Lee McDaniel says
I believe this might be to generate more usage of the library. If you lose a book or just don’t return it, you get charged for the cost of the book….and privileges suspended … so it’s not a free for all plan. A fresh start might pull more folks in that had trouble getting to the library to return books in a timely manner. Not that I have ever had late fines but one of the reasons I haven’t used the library in so many years is because I might not have transportation or illness may prevent a timely return. I think this may be good for adding traffic to the libraries.
Bobby hoke says
Pls do research on library late fees on other surrounding counties….if you can!!!!! thanks For example, Alamance, Guilford, Mecklenburg….even Asheville (Buncombe? County) and Wilmington