Boston Public Library
Fines and Fees
Borrowing and Circulating Information

Fines and fees may be paid at the Registration Desk in the Central Library or at any neighborhood branch library.

If an item is overdue for more than 30 days or if the maximum fine ($10.00) accrues on your account, you will not be able to borrow materials or renew items you currently have borrowed from the Library until you resolve the overdue.

Overdue Material  Books and audio-visual material
  • Adults $0.10 per day for all material types.
    Maximum fine of $5.00 for adult material
  • Children and Teens $0.05 per day for all material types.
    Maximum fine of $2.50 for Children's and Teen material

Certain materials may be subject to higher overdue rates.
Replacing Lost Cards
  • $1.00 for all borrowers.
Lost Materials For our newer materials we charge the purchase price for the item lost. If that is not known or it is older material, we will charge one of the general prices listed below.
Category Replacement Cost
Adult non-fiction $35.00
Adult fiction $30.00
Young Adult non-fiction $30.00
Young Adult fiction $30.00
Children's non-fiction $30.00
Children's fiction $30.00
Children's books on CD $20.00
Music cassettes $16.00
Music CDs $20.00
Videos $25.00
DVDs $25.00
Adult books on CD $50.00
Adult books on audiotape $50.00


Damaged Material Fees are based on the severity of damage. If an item is beyond repair, the borrower will be charged the fees listed above for lost material.