Borrowing, loans and fines

Adults

Once you join the library you can borrow up to 25 items. This can include a combination of:

• 20 books for three weeks
• eight audio items for three weeks
• 12 audiobooks for three weeks
• two language courses for six weeks
• eight DVDs for one week

How much does it cost?

Borrowing books is free.

There is a charge for:

• borrowing CDs, DVDs and language courses
• other services such as reproducing pictures from our archive

You may be free from some charges or entitled to concessions. Ask a member of staff or email us to find out, [email protected].

Overdue items

If you registered your email with us, we will send you a reminder email a couple of days before the due date.

If you do not return your items on time, we will send you an overdue notice:

• first overdue notice: 14 days after due date
• second overdue notice: 36 days after due date

Log into your account to view your library fines and charges online. Fines and charges can be paid online with a debit or credit card. Fines and charges can also be paid in the library.

Library fines and charges

Concessions

Customers who are:

• under 12: exempt from all charges except for DVDs
• between the ages of 12-15 years: free loan of audio and spoken word
• receiving benefits, 60+ and registered disabled: concessionary rates for audio, spoken word and language courses
• Home Library Service users: exempt from all charges.
• RBKC staff: concessionary rates for audio, spoken word, language courses and DVDs

Loans are free and all items may be renewed up to eight times (unless reserved)

Borrowing from your local library: shared borrowing arrangements

On Wednesday 1 June 2022 Hammersmith and Fulham left the library system they share with Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster and the shared borrowing arrangement between the three boroughs.

Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster shared libraries service

The shared Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster library system continued from Wednesday 1 June 2022, along with the shared borrowing arrangement between the two boroughs.

• Kensington and Chelsea library customers continue to be able to reserve, borrow or renew items from Westminster libraries
• Westminster library customers continue to be able to reserve, borrow or renew items from Kensington and Chelsea libraries
   

Hammersmith and Fulham libraries

If you mostly use:

• Hammersmith and Fulham libraries but have a Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster library membership card, you should visit your local Hammersmith and Fulham library branch to obtain a replacement card
• Kensington and Chelsea libraries but have a Hammersmith and Fulham library membership card, you should visit your local Kensington and Chelsea library branch to obtain a replacement card
• Westminster libraries but have a Hammersmith and Fulham library membership card, you should visit your local Westminster library branch to obtain a replacement card

Borrowing items from Hammersmith and Fulham libraries

If you have a valid Hammersmith and Fulham library membership card, you can reserve, borrow or renew items their collections. To become a full member and borrow items:

• register online on the Hammersmith and Fulham website to receive a temporary membership number
• visit a Hammersmith and Fulham library branch with two items of identification. At least of these must show your current address

Further information

Speak to a member of library staff in your local library or email: [email protected].

Overdue charges

	Charges from 1 April 2025
Book/audio fine	£0.25
Book/audio fine, 16-17 years	£0.10
Book/audio fine, under 16	No charge
SMS text notice	Free of charge
Email notice	Free of charge
Maximum overdue fine limit, 18+	£10
Maximum overdue fine limit, 16-17 years	£2

Replacement membership cards

	Charges from 1 April 2025
Replacement library card	£3.50
Replacement library card, under 16s	£1.20

Reservations

	Charges from 1 April 2025
Reservations	£1.10
Reservations, concessions	£0.65
Reservations, 16-17 years	£0.65
Reservations, children under 16	Free.  All of the above for holdings in in our shared catalogue with Westminster libraries or via Inter-Library Loans
Reservations, Kensington and Chelsea staff	Free
British Library loan, periodical article	Free
Periodical article	Free
Periodical article, concessions	Free

Sound recordings

	Charges from 1 April 2025
CD single or set	£1.20
CD single or sets (concessions U12/12-15/60+/disabled)	£0.50
CDs single or sets (concessions, people receiving benefits, Kensington and Chelsea staff)	£0.50
Reservation for music sound recordings	Free

Language courses

	Charges from 1 April 2025
Language course (physical)	£2.70
Language course (physical), concessions	£1.50
Language course on cassette/CD, English courses only including concessions	Free
English language courses on DVD	Free
Online language courses	£7.20
Online language courses,concessions	£3.50

Audiobooks and DVD

	Charges from 1 April 2025
Talking books (three weeks)	£1.10
Talking books (concessions, people receiving benefits, Kensington and Chelsea staff)	£0.55
DVDs	£1.20
Children's DVDs	£1.20

Printing, photocopying and internet

	Charges from 1 April 2025
Photocopies (per side), black & white A4	£0.25
Photocopies (per side), black & white A3	£0.50
Photocopies (per side), colour A4	£0.90
Photocopies (per side), colour A3	£1.65
Printing, black & white A4	£0.25
Printing, black & white A3	£0.50
Printing, colour A4	£0.90
Printing, colour A3	£1.65
Internet, library members first hour	Free
Subsequent hour (minimum charge 25p per charged booking). You may be entitled to a concessionary waiver if you claim Universal Credit. Please speak to library staff for more details.	£1.10

Filming within libraries

	Charges from 1 April 2025
Filming, standard library opening hours / per hour	£187
Filming, out of hours / per hour	£235
Parking	£65
Filming, extra staff needed out of hours	£50

Lost items

	Charges from 1 April 2025
Lost identifiable items incl DVDs	Full replacement cost plus £10 administration charge
Damaged items	Full replacement cost plus £10 administration charge

Room and equipment hire

More information about library rooms and equipment hire can be found on our Venue hire page

Miscellaneous fees and charges

Community notice boards - maximum of £54 per advert per week, £1.70 per advert per week for community use only.