DPL Eliminates Late Fees

Effective August 1, 2024, the Durham Public Library will cease charging late fees on most library materials, joining with public libraries across the country in a movement to reduce barriers to library access.

What does this mean for borrowers? 

1. With the exception of physical museum passes and library equipment, daily overdue fines have been eliminated.
2. Library items will still have due dates. Please bring your books and movies back on time so that other residents may enjoy them.
3. We will continue to charge replacement fees for lost and damaged items.
4. A bill for the replacement cost of overdue items will be generated automatically once an item is more than one loan period overdue. However, as soon as you return the item, the bill will be canceled and no fines will remain on your card.
5. Patrons with more than $25 in billed items on their accounts will not be able to check out additional materials until the items are returned or paid for.
6. We will remove old late fees from your account.  
7. Please note that our fine-free status only applies to Durham items. If you check out an item belonging to another library (example: item borrowed through a system hold) at Durham Public Library, you’ll be charged fines based on the policy of the loaning library. 

Questions? Learn more about why we’ve decided to go fine free here or call or email us for more info.

Click here for a full list of Loan Periods, Renewal, and Fees