Loan Periods and Service Charges
Our library branches offer a wide range of materials, including books, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks, video games, reference materials and more. All materials are subject to a specified loan period. Most items can be renewed beyond the initial loan period, and items may also be reserved or placed on hold.
Fine-free policy
In an effort to remove barriers to library use, the Haldimand County Public Library has adopted a fine-free policy. Overdue fines are no longer applied to most library materials when returned late, and pre-existing overdue charges on member accounts have been waived. Loan periods remain unchanged, and items are still expected to be returned by due dates.
Members who do not adhere to loan periods and whose loans have become overdue will receive a reminder call, followed by a mailed late notice and ultimately a mailed bill for replacement of any unreturned or lost materials. Library privileges may be suspended should lost charges exist on a member’s account.
A limited number of library materials will continue to incur overdue fines due to the high cost of their replacement or ownership by other organizations, including interlibrary loans, video equipment, and park passes.
Overview of loan periods and service charges
Loan periods and service charges are listed by material below. All charges are per item.
| Material type | Loan/renewal period | Overdue fines and service charges |
|---|---|---|
| Books | 3 weeks | Fine-free |
| Magazines | 1 week | Fine-free |
| DVDs and videos | 1 week |
Fine-free $2.00 per lost case/pouch |
| Books on CD | 1 week |
Fine-free $2.00 per lost case/pouch |
| Video games | 1 week |
Fine-free $2.00 per lost case/pouch |
| CD-ROMs and music CDs | 2 weeks |
Fine-free $2.00 per lost case/pouch |
| Board games and puzzles | 3 weeks | Fine-free |
| Reference materials | 4 days | Fine-free |
| InterLibrary loans | 3 weeks (no renewals) | $0.50 per day to a maximum of $10.00 |
| Ontario Parks pass | 1 week |
$1.00 per day $99.00 per lost or unreturned pass |
| GRCA Parks pass | 1 week |
$1.00 per day $140.00 per lost or unreturned pass |
| Video and digitization equipment (green screen, VHS digitizer, etc.) | 1 week |
$1.00 per day $12.95 to $360.00 per lost or unreturned item (depending on the item type) |
Renewals
If you’d like to keep borrowed items beyond their due date, it may be possible to renew them. Most library items can be renewed once without bringing them back to the library, as long as no one has placed a hold on them. This can be done online through a user’s library account, by calling the library, or by presenting materials in person.
To renew library materials online:
- Sign in to My Account, with your library barcode number and PIN
- Under Checkouts, check the box(es) next to the item(s) you would like to renew
- Click Renew Marked to renew selected items
- You can also contact us for assistance with renewals.
Contact Us