Library charges and online payments

Our basic book lending service is free.

We charge for lost items and some other library services. Please check individual charges on this page. Some people don't have to pay certain charges.

Overdue charges (adult and 16+ cards)

From Monday 5 February 2024 the Library Service will be re-introducing overdue charges for items that are returned late.

For most customers aged 16 and over there will be a charge of 10p per overdue item per day
The maximum charge is £4.90 per item
Equal access customers are exempt from overdue charges (except for BluRays and DVDs)
There are no overdue charges for items borrowed from a mobile library

You may be entitled to an equal access card if you have a physical or mental impairment. To be eligible, the impairment must have a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. We use the definition of normal daily activities from the Equality Act.

Overdue charges (child and young adult cards)

There are no overdue charges for children and young people under the age of 16.

Book reservations

Self-service reservation (items from a Norfolk public library) - 60p per item
Reservation by library staff (items from a Norfolk public library) - 60p per item
Title reservation on mobile libraries - 60p per item
Subject request on mobile libraries - Free
Requests for an item on interlibrary loan from another library service - £12.50 per item
Renewal charge for British Library interlibrary loan items - £5.50 per item
Requests by children and young people under 18 (except interlibrary loans) - Free
Requests by equal access customers (except interlibrary loans) - Free
Requests for children's and young people's items (except interlibrary loans) - Free
Reading group reservations - £2 per set

Reminders and notifications

Overdue reminders, overdue notifications and reservation available notifications sent by email - Free
Overdue notifications and reservation available notifications sent by text - 10p per message
Overdue notifications and reservation available notifications sent by post - £1 per notice

Lost or damaged items

Children's items (borrowed on a child's library card) will not incur charges if damaged, but lost items will be charged for.

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, reminiscence kits and other specialist items 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 and teenage books £6
Children's and teenage audio books £21
Adult fiction paperbacks £6
Adult fiction hardbacks £11
Adult non-fiction paperbacks £11
Adult non-fiction hardbacks £15
Large print books £20
Music scores £15
Adult audio books £50
Playaways £50
Adult audio book replacement CDs £5
Music CDs (single or double) £11
DVDs (single) £12
DVDs (double or sets) £20
Blu-rays £19
Laptops for loan £100
Mifi device £50
Laptop charger £10

The current minimum charge for items borrowed through the British Library which are then lost or damaged is £194.80 including VAT and a non refundable administration change. 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.

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.

Books on CD and Playaways

Audio books on CD (single items or sets) - 80p per 3 week loan and on each renewal
Playaways - 80p per 3 week loan and on each renewal
Children's audio books on CD - Free
There is no loan charge for equal access customers

The loan period for audio books on CD and Playaways may vary on mobile libraries

Music sets

Vocal set (charge per copy) - 55p per 3 month loan
Short vocal set (charge per title) - £21 per 3 month loan
Orchestral set (charge per set) - £26.50 per 3 month loan
Additional charge per set obtained on interlibrary loan - £21

Language courses and educational DVDs

Language courses and educational (general interest) DVDs - £1 per 3 week loan and on each renewal
There is no loan charge for equal access customers

The loan period for language courses and educational DVDs may vary on mobile libraries.