Library charges

Introduction

It costs nothing to join the library. It's also free to borrow books, find information, use computers, search the Internet, and search our 24 hour online library (with your membership card).

We charge for printouts, borrowing audio-visual items like DVDs and CDs, and for the late return of items. All our charges are listed below.

Save time and money on overdue charges

• We now send out 'pre-overdues' via email. This will give you time to renew items via the website, the automated phone service or in person.
• We will send you one email, text or automated telephone call to tell you that you've got overdue items.
• To prevent further charges renew items by telephone on 0845 002 0777, or visit the LibrariesWest website. You need your membership number and PIN (Personal Identification Number) to do this. Please ask at your library if you do not have a PIN.
• You can update your details online at LibrariesWest or tell us the next time you visit.

Hire charges

• Books - No charge.
  
• DVDs and videos (loan period 1 week) - Range from £1 to £2.80.
• CDs(loan period 1 week): Single and double CDs - 50p.
  Boxed sets of 2 CDs or more - Range from £1.00 to £3.00.
  To housebound or visually impaired people - No charge.
• Spoken word(loan period 3 weeks): By adults - £1.80.
  By young adults (16 to 17) - No charge.
  By teenagers (11 to 15) - No charge.
  Children's sets to children (0 to 10) - No charge.
  To housebound people or people with a disability - No charge.
• Language courses(loan period 3 weeks): English as a foreign language - No charge.
  Adult foreign language, per item or set - £1.50.
  Children's sets to children (0 to 10) - No charge.
  To housebound people or people with a disability - No charge.
• Console games (loan period 1 week) - £1.00 to £2.00.

Overdue charges

• Books: On adult tickets - 15p per day open.
  On young adult tickets (16 to 17) - No charge.
  On teenage tickets (11 to 15) - No charge.
  On children's tickets (0 to 10) - No charge.
  Maximum overdue charge (per item) - £10.00.
• Other materials: DVDs, CDs, videos, CD-ROMs, spoken word, language courses - Repeat hire charge.
  Music sets - £15.00 plus £2.00 per week or part week (max £30.00).
  Play sets - £7.00 plus £1.00 per week or part week (max £15.00).
• For all reminders (administration charge) - 20p.
• Recovery fee for long overdue item collection service - Maximum charge £20.00.

Reservations

• Self reservation online - for items on the LibrariesWest catalogue - 60p maximum per item.
  (Excludes some items, e.g. Reference material, premium DVDs, fastbacks etc).
• By adults - Items in stock in a LibrariesWest library - £1.10.
• By adults - Books not in stock in a LibrariesWest library - £3.50.
• By young adults (16 to 17) - No charge for books and spoken word.
• By young adults (16 to 17) - £1.10 for CDs, language courses, DVDs, console games and videos.
• By teenagers (11 to 15) - No charge for books and spoken word.
• By teenagers (11 to 15) - £1.10 for CDs, language courses, DVDs, console games and videos.
• By children (0 to 10) - No charge for books and spoken word.
• By children (0 to 10) - £1.10 for CDs, DVDs, console games and videos (children cannot reserve language courses).
• By reading groups - For up to 8 copies of one title, maximum charge £2.00.
• Large print books - No charge.
• Spoken word recordings loaned to housebound people or people with a disability - No charge.
• Single and boxed CDs loaned to people who are registered blind - No charge.
• Music sets: Orchestral (loan period up to 6 months) - £15.00.
  Vocal (loan period up to 6 months) - First 20 copies - £15.00. For each 20 additional copies of the same title - £7.50.
• Play sets: In stock in a LibrariesWest Library (loan period up to 6 months) - £3.00.
  Not in stock in a LibrariesWest Library (loan period up to 6 months) - £7.00.
  

Photocopying and fax

• Photocopying(self service, per sheet): Black and white A4 , (maximum) - 10p.
  Black and white A3 - 20p.
  A4 microfiche - 50p.
  A3 microfiche - £1.00.
  Colour A4 (Central Library only) - 80p.
  Colour A3 (Central Library only) - £1.60.
• Photocopying(staff generated for collection, per sheet): Black and white A4 - 40p.
  Black and white A3 - 70p.
  A4 microform for collection - 80p.
  A3 microform for collection - £1.30.
  Colour A4 (Central Library only) - £1.10.
  Colour A3 (Central Library only) - £2.00.
  For posting (as above plus postage) minimum fee - £1.10.
• Fax - sending(all sheets after first sheet, half price): A4 to the UK and Europe - £1.20.
  A4 to the rest of the World and rest of the world - £2.50.
• Fax - receiving(all sheets after first sheet, half price): A4 per sheet - 80p.

Electronic information and equipment

• Internet access and advance booking - No charge.
• Printouts: Chargeable databases eg Corporate Researcher & Landmark Mapping (black & white A4) - (staff generated copies) - 50p.
  Internet (black & white A4) - 10p (first 10 copies free to children under 15).
  Colour A4 - 50p (20p to children under 15).
  
• Memory stick (1 GB Hi-speed USB) - £5.
• Headphones: For hire to children for use in the Children's Library (Central Library) - 20p. For use in the Disability Resource Centre (Central Library) - free. For sale - in-ear or over-ear - from £1.50.

Local/Family History and Business Information

• Searches by staff - £11.50 per half-hour or part thereof.

Booking for microfilm or fiche reader

• One price in advance or on the day - £1.50.

Drama collection annual subscription

• LibrariesWest groups (including Bristol) - £16.00.
• Non LibrariesWest groups - £37.00.
• LibrariesWest covers Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire public library services.

Lost items

• Replacement of computer membership card: Adults - £1.50.
  Under 16 - £1.00.
• Recovery fee for long overdue item collection service, maximum charge £20.00.
• If you lose an item you will have to replace it or pay for a replacement.
• Any overdue charges owing on that item must also be paid.
• If the item is an interlibrary loan, there may be an additional handling charge.

Central Library group tours

• £32 per tour, maximum of 25 places.
• See our Central Library - activities page for further information.

Letting of libraries

Single room - hourly rate (Mon - Fri) - 7am to midnight £13.50.

Single room - hourly rate (Sat/Sun/Bank Hol) 7am to midnight £19.50.

Kitchens serving beverages only - rate per session (Mon-Fri) 7am to midnight £11.50.

Kitchens serving beverages only - rate per session (Sat/Sun/Bank Hol) 7am to midnight £13.50.

Art exhibitions

Hanging Fee - maximum £12.00.