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Library fees and charges

Overdue books and audiobooks

There is a charge for each day a book is overdue. The charges are:

  • adults - 30p per book per day (up to £6)
  • children and young people (0 to 17 years old) - no charge

You can renew items online, in any Plymouth library or by phone. When you join the library you can opt in to receive email reminders. 

Find out more about renewing library items

Language courses borrowing

£1.70 per item for up to one week then 50p per day up to a maximum of £12.

Books requests

We charge for book requests:

Request Charge
In stock or on order item Free
Not in stock item £7.70
Urgent requests (Plymouth residents) £15.40
Urgent requests (non-Plymouth residents) £28.60
Journal articles £3.90 plus photocopying cost

If we aren't able to get a copy of the book (or item), the request fee is non-refundable.  The fee covers the work we take to try and source the book (or item) for you.

Printing and photocopying 

Printing type Cost per sheet (per side)
A4 black and white 20p
A4 colour 80p
A3 black and white 50p
A3 colour £1.40

We can also post for an extra £2.50 for postage and packing.

Stationery

Stationery type Charge
Black biro (medium) 30p
Black biro (fine) 30p
Blue biro (medium) 30p
Blue biro (fine) 30p
A4 envelope (C4) 30p
A5 envelope (C5) 20p
Bull dog clip (19mm) 30p
Poly Pocket document holder 15p
Sellotape (per roll) 50p

Sold as singular items, as priced above. Purchase yours from a member of staff at the library's enquiry desk(s).

Computer access

This service is free if you are a Plymouth Library member.
For visitors and non-members, there is a charge:

Computer use Charge
30 minutes £2.20
60 minutes £3.60
120 minutes £6.10

Hire of music sets and playsets

Sets Charge Plymouth based groups Charge non-Plymouth based groups
Vocal scores/libretti per 10 copies £3.30 per month £5.50 per month
Boxed vocal/orchestral sets per box £5.50 per month £7.70 per month
Playsets £2.80 per loan Not available

Our photographs and images

We supply copies of our photographs for commercial and non-commercial use if we own the copyright or if the photograph is not in copyright.

  • for non-commercial use, image file (JPEG or TIFF) sent by email - £20.40
  • for commercial use, charges depend on the use.

For more information phone 01752 305900 or email library@plymouth.gov.uk.

Meeting rooms

The library service has meeting spaces for hire (book a meeting room)

Research service

  • first 15 minutes - free of charge
  • hourly charge - £60.50 including VAT or pro-rata

Lost and damaged items

There is a charge to replace lost or damaged books and items.

Item Charge
Adult hardback (including large print) £20
Adult paperback (including large print) £10
Children / Teen hardback £10
Children / Teen paperback £5
Picture book / board book £7.50

Charges for all other items are made on a case-by-case basis.

Inter Library Loan charges for lost and damaged items are set by the lending library.