Fees

Charges & Fees

There is no cost to sign up for a library card, borrow items, or participate in Library events.

As of August 5, 2020, Halifax Public Libraries has eliminated overdue fees. Replacement fees will still be collected. For more information, click here.

Paying replacement charges

Have your library card number handy, to pay:

In person

By phone

  • Call us at (902) 490-5763
  • Pay any type of fee including room booking fees
  • We can accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express

Online

Late fees

As of August 5, 2020, the Library no longer collected overdue fees. It's up to you to return the items that you borrow on time (on or before their due date). You will be charged a replacement fee if an item you borrowed is not returned within 30 days past its due date.

If you want to keep an item for longer, you may be able to renew it.

To check the due date for borrowed items, you can:

Replacement fees

From time to time things get lost or damaged—it happens. If you return an item that has been damaged accidentally, we won’t charge you a fee but we will gratefully accept any voluntary payments to help cover the replacement costs.

You'll be charged a replacement fee for any item you borrow that is:

  • More than 30 days past its due date
  • Intentionally damaged
  • Returned with missing parts

Most of the time, the replacement fee is the actual price of the item. Sometimes we're able to accept a replacement item instead of the fee.

If you pay a replacement fee for a damaged item, you can keep it.

If you return the item in good condition within 90 days, with a receipt of your payment, we will refund the replacement fee.

If you return an item with missing parts, you’ll have 7 days to return the missing item before we’ll charge you the replacement fee.

Suspending borrowing privileges

If you have accrued a large amount in unpaid fees and/or have lost a significant number of library items, you'll be temporarily unable to borrow items. You can still attend events, use library facilities including public computers, download e-books and audiobooks, and access digital resources from home.

You can also still renew items—we’ll just need to help you, so give us a call or visit one of our locations.

If you have questions about your fees or are concerned that your outstanding fees are affecting your ability to use the Library, please come in and see us or give us a call. We’re here to help.

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