Fines & Fees
- What happens if I lose something I borrowed?
- What happens if I find a lost item that I have already paid for?
- What happens if the library says I haven't returned something that I know I have?
- What happens if I have charges?
- How do I pay my charges?
- What happens if I don't pay my charges?
- How can I avoid charges?
- Does the library charge any other fines or fees?
What happens if I lose something I borrowed?
You'll have to pay the purchase price of the item. The library doesn't accept a replacement copy or an item of equivalent value. If something is overdue by more than 30 days, the library considers it lost.
What happens if I find a lost item that I have already paid for?
Keep your receipt! If you find the item within 90 days of paying the replacement cost you can get a refund.
What happens if the library says I haven't returned something that I know I have?
If you return an item on the weekend (or Mondays in the case of some branches), staff might not check it in until later in the day so it may still be showing on your account.
If enough time has gone by and the item is still on your account, you can speak to library staff and they can mark the item as "reported returned". Branches get a list of items marked reported returned and search for them regularly. If the item is not checked in or out within 90 days, it is marked lost and a replacement charge will be added to your account.
You can also check your account online.
If you would like to check whether the library is currently contacting you by phone or email, here's how.
If you owe anything, it will display in the Account Summary section.
Select the Charges tab to see an itemized list of all payable fines.
What happens if I have charges?
As stated in the Membership, Circulation and Collection Use Policy, the library prevents customers from taking out books or other materials if they have
- more than $100.00 in charges, more than 10 items overdue
If this happens, your account will be blocked and you will be prevented from accessing some of the library's services.
| What | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Check out library materials | No |
| Place a hold | Yes |
| Renew a checked-out item (online or in-branch but not by telephone) | Yes |
| Check out and download an eBook or eAudiobook through OverDrive | No |
| Place a hold through OverDrive | No |
| Access Hoopla | No |
| Access Kanopy | No |
| Access LinkedIn Learning | No |
| Access online services and research databases other than OverDrive, Hoopla, Kanopy and LinkedIn Learning | Yes |
| Reserve a computer | Yes |
To unblock your account, you need to return any overdue materials and/or pay any outstanding charges.
How do I pay my charges?
- Sign in to your account and pay your charges online
- Visit your branch to pay your charges
- Call your local branch and pay with your credit card
What happens if I don't pay my charges?
- Toronto Public Library uses a collection agency (for customers 18 years of age and older) to assist in the timely retrieval of materials to ensure fair access to all customers.
- If you have $50.00 or more in charges, your account will be referred to the collection agency after 70 days overdue. Any further notification regarding your charges will come from the collection agency. A $15.00 non-refundable administrative fee will be added to your account.
If your account has been referred to the collection agency, your library privileges will be suspended until the account is cleared.
Call or visit any branch to speak with staff if you have questions or concerns about your fines and/or your account status.
How can I avoid charges?
- Renew your items
- Renew items where possible if you require them longer than the due date of the item.
- Sign up for email notification
- You can opt in to receive due date reminder notices two days before your items are due.
- Return your materials on time
- Library materials can be returned to any library branch or bookmobile stop. Many branches have 24-hour book drops for your convenience.
- Pick up (or cancel) your holds before they expire
- Cancel your holds or pick them up by the pickup date. A $1.00 hold not picked up fine will apply to adult cardholders (18+). Find out how to do this by managing your holds.
Does the library charge any other fines or fees?
Not picking up a hold or interlibrary loan
There is a $1.00 fine for each hold or interlibrary loan you do not check out or cancel by the pickup date for adult cardholders (18+).
For more information, please refer to the Toronto Public Library Membership, Circulation and Collection Use Policy.