Fines & Fees FAQs

  • General Questions

    If you're wondering about a late fee for a book you returned on time, you should know that there are no late fees for items returned on or after July 1, 2024. Any late fees you're seeing would be from before this change.

    If you returned the book when the library was closed, they'll check it in when they reopen, and you shouldn't be fined. It might take them a bit to update everything. If the book is still on your account after 24 hours, just contact the library where you returned it.

    If you returned the item after it was 28 days overdue, you would have received a billed notice for the non-returned item. This notice would have included the cost of the item and any processing fees. However, after you returned the item, that fee would have been removed.

    Related Page: Borrow & Return

    • Search for the Item: Take some time to search for the lost item. You do not need to worry about late fees. As of July 1, 2024, late fees no longer accrue for returned items. Most physical items are also auto-renewed unless another customer has requested the item. You have time to look for the item.
    • Contact the Library: If you cannot find the item and are sure it is lost, contact your desired SJPL location and speak to a staff member. You will need to either: 
      • Pay for the lost item plus a $10 processing fee per item.
      • Participate in one of our Access Programs to clear the fees on lost materials.
    • Payments and Refunds: Once you have paid for a lost item, we do not issue refunds if the item is later found.
    • Borrowing Privileges: Your borrowing privileges may be restricted until all charges are paid. Failure to pay may result in a referral to a collection agency.

    Related Page: Borrow & Return

    For the most current information on late fees, please visit the Fees section of our Borrow & Return page.

    Additional Information:

    • No Late Fees: There are no late fees on any items returned on or after July 1, 2024. Any fines currently on your account happened before this change.
    • Past Late Fees:     
      • Late fees did not accrue on Sundays or holidays.
      • Items were considered overdue if not returned before the library closed on their due date.
      • You can view due dates and any accumulated late fees for overdue items by checking your account online.
      • If you've provided an email address, the library sends a courtesy email reminder before items are due and again 7 days after they become overdue.
      • Services for an account are limited when fees reach $20.

    Related Page: Borrow & Return

    Yes, Volunteer Away Your Fines can be used for service hours. Library staff will be more than happy to sign off on your volunteer hours.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    We ask that you keep your belongings with you at all times. Please leave large items (e.g. backpacks, skateboards, etc.) at home since the library has limited space to store belongings while you volunteer.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    Volunteer Away Your Fines events start on time, so participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to their volunteer session for a number of reasons:

    • to check-in with the event host
    • update their library account
    • and get a new library card (if needed)

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    Definitely. You can volunteer at whichever locations have available opportunities that fit your needs.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    That depends on how many fines you have and how many volunteer sessions are available on a single day. You can volunteer away your fines at a rate of $20 per hour. The duration of Volunteer Away Your Fines opportunities vary in length from branch to branch.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    The majority of Volunteer Away Your Fines events are open to all ages with the exception of a few opportunities which require an age limit due to the nature of the activity. Anyone under the age of 15 will need to volunteer alongside an adult guardian.

    If you choose to volunteer with your child, then both of your time counts towards waiving away fines. When you pre-register, simply inform the library branch of how many people will be accompanying you.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    You may select to waive the fines from another library card belonging to a member within your immediate family.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    It is necessary to pre-register for an event since each event has limited slots available.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    You can register for a Volunteer Away Your Fines event by contacting the library branch that is hosting the volunteer opportunity that interests you.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    Volunteer Away Your Fines can be utilized to remove the following fines/fees from your account:

    • All San José Public Library fines/fees related to:  
      • Materials returned or renewed late, including Link+ items
      • Lost or damaged materials
      • Collection Agency
    • Volunteer Away Your Fines does not include fines/fees related to:  
      • Link+ replacement
      • Interlibrary Loans
      • SJPL Chromebooks, laptops, and iPads

    Please note, fines for lost or damaged devices, such as Chromebooks, laptops, and iPads, may be waived without needing to participate in the VAYF program.

    Related Page: Borrow & Return, Volunteer Away Your Fines, SJ Access: Free Internet & Tech Devices

    If you participate in the Volunteer Away Your Fines program, you are able to volunteer off your library fines at a rate of $20 per hour, or select to waive the fines on another card from within your immediate family. You can register to volunteer as many times necessary to remove all your accrued library fines.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    Although the main objective is to eliminate economic barriers to library use, the Volunteer Away Your Fines program is open to everyone regardless of whether they have fines or not.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    Yes, in order for branches to have an accurate attendance estimate, we ask that you register by contacting the library branch hosting the specific volunteer event that interests you.

    Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines

    The Volunteer Away Your Fines program is open to all San José Public Library users. You must first register by contacting the library branch hosting the specific volunteer event.

    • Anyone under the age of 15 must volunteer alongside an adult guardian
    • Volunteers are required to complete the full duration of their volunteer session and arrive 15 minutes early to update their library account information.

    For more information, visit our Volunteer Away Your Fines page.

    Volunteer Away Your Fines is a program aimed at returning library access to all users. Library members have the opportunity to reduce, or even eliminate, their library fines by volunteering at a rate of $20.00 per hour, no experience required.

    For more information, visit our Volunteer Away Your Fines page.

    Yes. This will not affect your ability to use many of the app features. The only feature you might not be able to use is mobile checkout. Learn more about fines and fees on our Borrow and Return page.

    Related Page: SJPL Mobile App

  • Book Replacement Program

    All SJPL cardholders can bring a new book to replace a lost book.

    Before you pay, find a different way to eliminate your fines with our fine forgiveness programs, including the Book Replacement Program.

    We want to help cardholders regain access to the library. It's part of our effort to reduce barriers to information and services.

    Learn more about the Book Replacement Program.

    These are that materials that are not eligible:

    • Media (DVDs, CDs, Audio Books, Kits, etc.)
    • LINK+ materials
    • ILLiad (interlibrary loan) materials
    • San José State University materials

    Learn more about the Book Replacement Program.

    No Late Fees on Items Returned After July 1, 2024

    As of July 1, 2024, late fees no longer accrue for items returned on or after July 1, 2024. Lost/damaged items fines still occur. Late fees on items returned before July 1, 2024, remain on your account.

    Before you Pay, find a different way!

    Participate in our Access Programs. These programs offer other ways to eliminate your fines:

    Related Pages: Borrow & Return, Read Away Your Fines, Volunteer Away Your Fines, Book Replacement Program

  • Read Away Your Fines

    Children and teens attend a designated Read Away Your Fines program, which may include story time, Reading Buddies, Reading to Dogs, Reading to Children, or Homework Club. Listen to stories or read any print material and you will receive a Read Away Your Fines voucher. There is no limit to the number of programs you can attend, however vouchers must be used the day they are earned on current fines and can not be used for future fines. At the end of the event, bring the completed voucher to the Information Desk to get credits towards late fees on your account.

    Related Page: Read Away Your Fines

    Children and teens under 18 who have fines on their library cards are eligible to participate in the Read Away Your Fines program.

    Related Page: Read Away Your Fines

    Read Away Your Fines is intended to help children and teens eliminate their fines so that they can continue to use the library and check out materials. The program is part of our continuous effort to reduce barriers to information and services.

    Related Page: Read Away Your Fines

    Read Away Your Fines can be utilized to remove the following fines/fees from your account:

    • All San José Public Library fines/fees related to:
      • Materials returned or renewed late, including Link+ items
      • Lost or damaged materials
      • Collection Agency Fees
    • Read Away Your Fines does not include fines/fees related to:
      • Link+ replacement
      • Interlibrary Loans

    Related Page: Read Away Your Fines

    No Late Fees on Items Returned After July 1, 2024

    As of July 1, 2024, late fees no longer accrue for items returned on or after July 1, 2024. Lost/damaged items fines still occur. Late fees on items returned before July 1, 2024, remain on your account.

    Before you Pay, find a different way!

    Participate in our Access Programs. These programs offer other ways to eliminate your fines:

    Related Pages: Borrow & Return, Read Away Your Fines, Volunteer Away Your Fines, Book Replacement Program