Fines and Fees
Farewell to Overdue Fees
Beginning July 1, 2018 San Diego Public Library will no longer charge overdue fees. However, items borrowed from the San Diego Circuit and Interlibrary Loan (ILL) will continue to charge overdue fees.
Materials are considered late one day after they are due to the Library . If you have an overdue item, your library card will be blocked and you will not be able to check-out any additional items. You are still able to use the Library and renew other materials you have checked out.
Fines and Fees
This has been revised as of July 1, 2018. For any materials checked out before this date, the following 
fee structure applied.
Library accounts are sent for collection when unpaid bills total more than $49.99 or have a lost item on their account for over 60 days.
Accounts with over $10 in unpaid bills or with currently overdue items will be prevented from checking out new items. Items on account may still be renewed, if eligible.
| Fee | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Library Card Fee | CA Resident | FREE |
| Non-resident | $32 | |
| Library Card Replacement | Lost Card Replacement Fee | $1.00 |
| Material Replacement | Adult Materials | Cost of item + $10 Processing Fee |
| Young Adult & Juvenile Materials | Cost of item + $5 Processing Fee |
|
| Magazines & Paperbacks | Cost of item | |
| Uncataloged Materials | Cost of item | |
| Photocopies & Print | Self-Service Card | $1.00 |
| (Self-Service) | In Black and White | $0.20 per page |
| In Color, Central Library only | $1.00 per page | |
| (Staff Printed) | Mailed Copies | $0.20 per page + $5 Research Fee + $3 per item mailed |
| Microfiche Prints | Coin-operated machine, Central Library only | $0.15 per page |
Overdue Items
Materials are considered late one day after they are due to the Library . If you have an overdue item, your library card will be blocked and you will not be able to check-out any additional items. You are still able to use the Library and renew other materials you have checked out.
At seven days overdue, the Library will send you an email alerting you that your Library materials are overdue and must be returned or renewed. At 14 days overdue, we will email you a second reminder to return or renew your items.
At 30 days overdue, the Library will consider the items lost and email you an invoice for the cost of the overdue item, applicable service fees, and your library card will be barred, preventing you from renewing or checking out items.
At 60 days overdue, if you haven't returned the item or paid the invoice, the debt will be transferred to the City Treasurer. Your library card will be barred until we are notified by the City Treasurer that the fine has been paid.
Damaged Items
If you return an item that can no longer be used, or is returned with missing pieces, the Library will email you an invoice for the cost of the items and any applicable service fees. Your library card will be barred, preventing you from renewing or checking out items. You have 30 days to pay the Library’s invoice for the replacement cost and processing fee or the cost of the missing pieces. Replacements for lost items will not be accepted.
If an invoice for a damaged item is unpaid more than 30 days, the account will be transferred to the Office of the City Treasurer. You will be sent a City of San Diego invoice for the cost of the damaged item and a processing fee. If the patron does not pay the City’s invoice they will be referred to the Delinquent Accounts division and assessed a collection fee and other associated fees.
Replacements for damaged items will not be accepted.
Lost Items
When materials are 30 days overdue the Library considers the items lost and will email you an invoice for the cost of the items and applicable service fees. Your library card will be barred, preventing you from renewing or checking out items. You must pay the invoice for the replacement cost and the processing fee. Replacements for lost items will not be accepted.
When a lost item is 60 days overdue, the library account will be transferred to the City’s Treasurer’s Department. You will be sent a City of San Diego invoice for the cost of the item and the processing fee. If the item is returned, the cost of the item and the processing fee will not be waived; you are still responsible for the entire amount of the invoice and the invoice must be paid to City Treasurer. If you do not pay the invoice you will be referred to the City’s Delinquent Accounts division and assessed a collection fee and other associated fees.
Replacements for lost items will not be accepted.
Interlibrary Loan Fines & Fees
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) materials will continue to accrue overdue fees but lost materials will be handled in the same manner as San Diego Public Library lost materials. Patrons are also responsible for any additional fees the lending library may impose for the lost item.
| Fine Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Overdue Fees | $0.30 per day, $20 maximum per item |
| ILL Request | $5 per request, additional fees may be required by lending library (indicate a maximum charge on ILL request form) |
| Late Charges | After 30 day, item will be marked lost. Patron will be billed for the cost of the item, processing fee and any additional fines from the lending library. For more information, please refer to Lost Items. |
| Unpaid Fines | Referred for collection and subject to additional fees. |
San Diego Circuit Fines & Fees
San Diego Circuit items do not belong to the San Diego Public Library and fees and fines for these materials are set by San Diego Circuit. Once payment is given for fines, there are no refunds.
| Fine Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Late Charges | $1.00 per day up to a maximum of $15.00 per item. |
| Lost Item | $100.00 assessed on the 16th day an item is late. No refunds will be given once payment has been received for a lost item. |
| Unpaid Fines | Referred for collection and subject to additional fees. |