Children's items (borrowed on a child's library card) will not incur charges for damaged items.
For over 16s and adults we charge the full replacement value (recommended retail price) for lost or damaged items, if it’s still in print. By agreement with library staff, you could buy us a replacement copy of an item instead if it's still in print. This doesn’t include items such as CDs, DVDs and games, as they may not be legally cleared for hire.
Lost or damaged Storysacks are charged at the replacement cost.
We charge the original purchase price, if known, for items which are no longer on sale. Otherwise we charge a standard rate, as listed below.
- Children's books £6
- Adult fiction paperbacks £6
- Adult fiction hardback £11
- Adult non-fiction paperbacks £11
- Adult non-fiction hardback £15
- Large print £20
- Music scores £15
- Sets of audiobook cassettes or CDs £50
- Playaways £50
- Replacement part (cassette or CD) £5
- Music CD (single or double) £12
- DVDs (single) £12
- DVDs (double) £20
- Blu Ray £19
- Computer games £30
The current minimum charge for items borrowed through the British Library which are then lost or damaged is £179.20 including VAT. The British Library reserves the right to charge more than this for a particularly valuable item. If you are able to return a lost item the charge will be refunded, minus an administration fee of £89.60 plus VAT. British Library charges will change from time to time.
Items borrowed from other library authorities which are then lost or damaged will be charged at the full rate billed to us by the owning library.