Fines and Fees
All fines and fees are set by the Library Board of Trustees. For more information, please read the DeKalb County Public Library's Fines and Fees Policy. Fines and fees can be paid by cash or checks made payable to DeKalb County Public Library. Fines and fees may also be paid online through PayPal.
Overdue Fines
Fines are charged to encourage the timely return and proper care of materials while they are checked out. Materials returned with missing pieces will be charged overdue fines until the item is complete and can be circulated again.
| Category | Overdue fine | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Hardbacks | 15¢/day | $7.50 |
| Juvenile Hardbacks | 15¢/day | $4.50 |
| Audiobooks | 15¢/day | $7.50 |
| Music CDs | 15¢/day | $7.50 |
| Videocassettes | 15¢/day | $7.50 |
| DVDs, Blu-rays and Passes (Center for Puppetry Arts Passport, Go Fish Pass, Georgia Park Pass, Southeastern Railway Museum Pass) | 50¢/day | $7.50 |
| Book Group Take-Out Kit, Book Buddies, Eager Readers, BeTween the Lines, Family Literacy Involvement Program (FLIP) Kits | $1.00/day | $7.50 |
Lost and Damaged Items
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Materials lost / damaged beyond repair | Cost of item* |
| Lost media piece (CD, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.) from a multi-part set** | $12.00 |
| Damaged Books | $10.00 |
| Destroyed Audiobook Case | $6.00 |
| Destroyed Videocassette/DVD/Blu-ray/CD Case | $2.00 |
| Lost Booklet/map | $2.00 |
| Lost Bar Code | $1.00 |
| Kill A Watt | $30.00 |
| Engraver | $31.00 |
| Zoo Atlanta DVD | $36.00 |
| Passes | |
| Center for Puppetry Arts Passport | $50.00 |
| Go Fish Pass | $50.00 |
| Georgia Park Pass*** | $100.00 |
| Southeastern Railway Museum Pass | $50.00 |
| Book Kits | |
| Book Group Take-Out, Book Buddies, Eager Readers, BeTween the Lines Kits | |
| Lost or damaged book | $10.00 |
| Lost or damaged tote bag | $15.00 |
| Lost or destroyed kit | $60.00 |
| Family Literacy Involvement Program (FLIP) Kits | |
| Lost or damaged book | $10.00 |
| Lost or damaged tote bag | $15.00 |
| Lost or damaged case | $6.00 |
| Lost or destroyed kit | Cost of kit |
* When exact cost is not available, an average cost based on format is assessed. A processing fee of $6.00 is included in the replacement cost.
**If individual piece cannot be replaced, and set is unusable without this piece, full replacement cost of set will be assessed.
*** If an individual pass is lost or damaged, a $50 replacement cost will be assessed.
Fees
Fees are charged to cover the cost of services provided and are based on the Library's costs for supplies and overhead.
| Category | Charge |
|---|---|
| Non-Resident Borrowers Card | $45.00 |
| Temporary Resident Card | $15.00 refundable deposit |
| Lost Card Replacement | $1.00 |
| Collection fee for account balances of $40.00 or more four weeks after billing | $10.00 |
| Photocopies | 15¢/page |
| Microform Copies | 15¢/page |
| Computer Printing (black and white) | 15¢/page |
| Computer Printing (color, at Decatur Library only) | 50¢/page |
| InterLibrary Loan | $3.00 + any fees charged by lending library |
| Returned Check Fee | $20.00 |
| Meeting Room Fee | $35.00 |
| Auditorium Fee (Decatur and Stonecrest) | $100.00 |