Fees for library services
It’s free to join our libraries and start borrowing. Check how much we charge for overdue books, photocopying and other library services.
Fees to borrow items
We do charge a small fee to borrow some items, like DVDs.
Fees are different for some members. For example, concessionary members pay lower fees for overdue items. Find out more about the different types of membership available.
Adults
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| CDs (local bands/local labels - Jubilee only) | £1.20 for 1 week |
| DVD | £2.80/ £3.80 for 1 week |
| DVD box set | £5.60 for 1 week |
| Spoken word (abridged) | 80p for 3 weeks |
| Spoken word (unabridged) | £1.60 for 3 weeks |
| Language course | £2.10 for 3 weeks |
Children
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| DVD | £1.50 for 1 week |
| Toys (available at Whitehawk, Coldean and Portslade Libraries) | Free |
Fees for overdue items
If you don’t return an item on time, you’ll have to pay a fee for each day it’s overdue.
Adults
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Books and spoken word | 40p per day per book, up to a maximum charge of £12.80 per loan |
| DVD | 80p per day per DVD |
| DVD box sets | £1.20 per day per DVD |
| CDs | 40p per day per CD |
Children and Young People
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Books, spoken word and toys on loan to children (under 16) | No charge |
| Books and spoken word on loan to young adults (16-19) | 10p per day per book up to a maximum of £2.50 per loan |
| DVDs on loan to children and young people | 30p per day per DVD |
Fees for reserving an item
Adults
| Items | Fee |
|---|---|
| Brighton & Hove Libraries reservations | £1.20 per item |
| Inter-library loan reservations through SELMS | £3 per item |
| Other inter-library reservations | £10 per item |
| Stock suggestions | Free |
Children
| Items | Fee |
|---|---|
| Brighton & Hove Libraries reservations | 50p per item |
| Inter-library loan reservations through SELMS | £3 per item |
| Other Inter-library reservations | £3 per item |
You can reserve items from one of our partner libraries in the South Eastern Library Management System (SELMS) group. This is called a SELMs reservation.
You can also reserve items using our inter-library loan service. An inter-library loan is borrowing an item from a British library outside of the SELMS group.
Find out more about how to borrow items from other libraries.
Fees for photocopying and printing
You can print documents at any of our libraries and photocopy documents at Jubilee and Hove Libraries. All libraries have at least one scanner, which is free to use if you're a member.
Printing
| Size/ Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| A4 Black and White | 30p per sheet |
| A4 Colour | £1.20 per sheet |
| A3 Black and White (Jubilee Library only) | 40p per sheet |
| A3 Colour (Jubilee Library only) | £1.80 per sheet |
Self Service Photocopiers (Jubilee and Hove libraries)
| Size/ Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| A4 Black and White | 30p per sheet |
| A4 Colour | £1.20 per sheet |
| A3 Black and White | 40p per sheet |
| A3 Colour | £1.80 per sheet |
Fees for computer use
| Computer use | Fee |
|---|---|
| First Hour | Free |
| Additional hours (19+ age) | £1.20 per hour |
| Concessions: First two hours | Free |
| Children and Young People | Free |
Fees of lost cards
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Lost Adult Membership Card | £1.70 |
| Lost Libraries Extra Card | £2.30 |
How to pay your fees
You can pay your fees with cash or cheque at any of our libraries.
You can only pay using a debit or credit card at the following libraries:
- Jubilee
- Hove
- Hangleton
- Patcham
- Moulsecoomb
- Portslade
- Rottingdean
- Woodingdean
- Whitehawk
You can also pay your fees over the phone by calling 01273 290 800 during Jubilee Library's opening hours.
Get help paying your fees
If you have fees you can’t pay and still want to use the library services, you may be able to pay your fees back over time.
To discuss this, speak to a member of staff at any of our libraries, or send an email to libraries@brighton-hove.gov.uk.