How Much Are Fines? | What are other fees? | How Can I Avoid Fines?
How can I pay fines?
A word regarding fees and fines with the Orange County Library System.
Library customers borrow over 9,500,000 items per year from the Orange County Library System. In striving to assure that the greatest variety of materials are available for Library users, we have found that fines are an effective encouragement for prompt return of materials. We also apply certain fees that encourage appropriate use of our materials so that once returned the items may be borrowed by others without delay.
We understand that due to a wide variety of circumstances such as illness or other unanticipated demands in our personal lives, materials are sometimes returned late. However, we do not attempt to judge any individual’s circumstances as more excusable than another’s. The impact of late returns is the same in all cases regardless of the cause. We do not provide exceptions based on cause.
As custodians of both the collection and the public’s trust, the Library is committed to fair and consistent application of our policies. Holding all users equally accountable for the use of the Library and any fees or fines incurred is part of meeting that public obligation.
The Library works to encourage our borrowers to avoid the charging of fines and fees. We provide notices to help educate and inform borrowers regarding the use of their account. To learn more about how you can avoid fines please read more at How Can I Avoid Fines?
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How Much are Fines?
TYPE OF MATERIAL |
CHECK OUT PERIOD
(Due before closing on due date) |
OVERDUE FINES |
NUMBER OF TIMES ITEM CAN RENEW IF NO RESERVE ON ITEM |
DVDs
(limit 15 per card) |
7 days |
$1.00 per item
per day |
3 (EXCEPT NEW TITLES) |
Games
(limit 1 per card) |
7 days |
$1.00 per item
per day |
3 |
VHS Videos |
7 days |
$.25 per item
per day |
3 |
Books on MP3, Playaways
(limit 2 per card) |
3 weeks |
$.25 per item
per day |
3 |
Game Tokens
(limit 2 per card) |
same day |
$.25 per item
per day |
0 |
All other OCLS
materials |
3 weeks |
$.25 per item
per day |
3 |
Residents of the Orange County Library District, District property owners, fee card holders and reciprocal borrowers residing in Maitland or Winter Park are able to check out DVDs. To check out material, your library card account and any juvenile account for which you have accepted responsibility must be in good standing. If an account reaches a balance of $10 or more, the entire balance must be paid for the account to be considered in good standing. A maximum of 100 items can be checked out at one time. Delinquent accounts may be handed over to a collection agency. When an account is handed over to a collection agency, a $10.00 charge will be added to the library account.
What if I lose or damage an item?
For each item that is lost or damaged, the Library cost plus a $5 non-refundable handling charge is assessed to the patron account. Within one month of payment, if the Library item is returned in good condition and receipts presented, a partial refund may be issued. Please note that in order to control the quality and content of our collection the Library does not accept replacement copies in lieu of payment for damaged materials.
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What are other fees?
Library Card Replacement |
$3.00, payable at the time the card is reissued. |
Interlibrary Loans
(ILL) |
Cardholder must have zero balance on account. A $2.00 fee per title is charged to initiate an ILL request. Additional charges may be applied according to the lending institution and their lending requirements. ILL materials that are not returned are subject to all charges assessed by the lending institution plus a $5 non-refundable handling charge. |
Non-resident fee card |
Individuals residing outside of the service area may purchase a Library card. The cost is $75 for three months, $100 for six months, or $125 for one year. Fee cards are non-refundable. |
Postage on items
returned |
When materials are mailed to the library, they must have the proper postage. If not, the difference will be charged on the patron account along with a $5 handling charge. |
Returned Check |
Account will be assessed for the amount of check plus a $25 returned check fee. |
Returned item missing the case, cover, labels, tags
|
A $5 non-refundable handling charge will be assessed. |
Returned item missing a tape, disc, video
|
A $5 non-refundable handling charge will be assessed. Additionally, if the missing part is returned within 30 days, any overdue fines that may have accumulated will be charged. If the missing part is not returned within 30 days, the account will be charged for the cost of the item unless the item is a CD or audio cassette book. For CD or audio cassette books, if the missing part is not returned within 30 days, the account will be charged a $30 replacement fee. |
Scanning |
$5 per page which can be saved to a portable device provided by patron. |
Sending Fax |
$1 local domestic, $2 long distance within U.S., $10 for international. |
Computer use |
Cardholder must have a zero balance on account. This service is free for residential, property, and fee cardholders. Other patrons are charged $5 for one session or $10 for 7 consecutive days for up to 2 sessions a day.
|
Computer classes |
Cardholder must have a zero balance on account. This service is free for residential, property, and fee cardholders. To avoid a $5 no-show charge assessed to the library account, class reservations must be cancelled at least 24 hours in advance of the class.
|
Non-resident Computer Classes |
For in-person classes, the cost per class is $10. Online classes are $25. To avoid a $5 no-show charge assessed to the library accounts, class reservations must be cancelled at least 24 hours in advance of the class. Class fees are non-refundable.
|
Meeting Room Use |
Important Notice: Meeting Room Changes
Cardholder must have zero balance on account. Albertson Room (at Main): $150 per 2 hours, catering fee $150 if bringing food/beverages. Other meeting rooms (Main and Branches): $25 per 2 hours or less, $60 catering fee if bringing food/beverages. |
Photocopies* |
$.15 a page in person |
Microfilm - 8 1/2 x 11 |
$.50 a page in person |
Computer Printouts* |
$.15 a page in person |
Microfilm – 11 x 17 |
$1.00 a page in person |
Color Computer Printouts* |
$1 a page in person |
|
|
For patrons requesting library staff to make copies to mail or fax, there is a $5.00 handling fee plus a per copy charge: $.25 per page for 8.5 x 11 print copies, $.50 per page for 8.5 x 11 microform, and $1.00 per page for 11 x 17 microform. There is a 10-page maximum.
*Value cards are needed to pay for copies and computer printouts. Some library cards can be converted to a value card at no charge. Value cards may be purchased in vending machines for $1.00 and are used to pay for copies. The vending machine dispenses value cards with .50 value, and additional value added. Value cards are non-refundable.
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How can I avoid fines?
We provide many opportunities for you to avoid the accrual of fines on your library account. Orange County Library System materials may be returned to any Orange County Library System location, regardless of where they were checked out. You may request a check in receipt at any location when you return an item to the service desk or drive up window. Please note that materials returned to an after hours drop once a location is closed will be considered returned on the next date on which that location is open.
The Library provides 3 ways for you to renew your eligible material:
- You may renew materials online at www.ocls.info
- You may call our renewal line, at 407.316.0021
- You may call Questline at 407.835.7323
Add your e-mail address to your account and you will receive a courtesy notice:
- When an item is due in 3 days
- When an item is 1 day past due
Please note that these are courtesy notices. Failure of the notice to be delivered by your e-mail supplier does not excuse fines.
An overdue notice is e-mailed once an item is 14 days past due. If you do not have an e-mail address on your account, the overdue notice will be mailed. Once an item is 28 days past due, it is assumed lost. A bill will be mailed, and your account will be assessed the cost of the lost item plus a $5 non-refundable handling fee.
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How can I pay Fines?
The Orange County Library System offers several ways to pay your fines. You can see what fines you have accrued by logging into your account. You are able to pay online at www.ocls.info with your MasterCard or Visa. You can also pay by MasterCard or Visa over the phone by calling Questline at 407-835-7323. Fines can also be paid at any location or by mail (Orange County Library System, Circulation Department, 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801).
Page revised: 10/2008
