- The purpose of this policy is to provide a structure of fines and
fees to the Town Council for use by the Chapel Hill Public Library.
- The General Statues of North Carolina, Chapter 153, Article 14, Section
153A-365 states: "If a county or city, pursuant to this article, operates
or makes contributions to the support of a library, any resident of
the county or city, as the case may be, is entitled to the free use
of the library." Because the support of the Chapel Hill Public Library
comes from the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County, all residents
of the Town of Chapel Hill and of Orange County are entitled to free
use of the library. Residents of other counties are charged an annual
fee which corresponds with the amount paid by citizens of the Town of
Chapel Hill for library services through their local property taxes,
based on the per capita amount of the Town's General Fund contribution
of the Library's operation. Patrons who live in another county but own
property in Orange County are entitled to the free use of the Chapel
Hill Public Library upon presentation of proof that Orange County taxes
are paid.
- While library services are provided free to residents of Chapel Hill
and Orange County, the Chapel Hill Public Library charges overdue fines
for materials which are kept beyond the circulation period. Fines are
intended to encourage the prompt return of library materials, and to
offset materials expenses incurred by the library due to the delinquent
return of materials. If the material is not returned within the designated
grace period after the due date, fines are calculated on a daily basis
for all days the library is open. When the current cost of an item is
unknown, a flat rate is used. (Please see the attached "Schedule of
Fines and Fees.")
- The Chapel Hill Public Library charges certain user fees for specialized
services which are performed specifically on demand for individual patrons.
These services include reserving books and borrowing books and films
on interlibrary loan. The amount of these fees is reviewed by the Library
Board of Trustees and recommended to Town Council based on such criteria
as current postage rates and levels of usage.
- Library patrons are required to pay a processing fee as well as the
current list price for all library materials that are lost, damaged
or otherwise not returned to the Library. (See the "Fines and Fees Schedule.")
- Fines and fees will be reviewed annually by the Library Board of Trustees.
- Fines and fees may be waived, reduced or refunded on a case by case
basis by designated library staff. (Please see "Waiver of Fines
and Fees Policy.")
- A schedule of fines and fees will be published and made available
to all Library users.
