Library fees and charges

Free services

Our free services include:

• joining Newcastle Libraries
• borrowing books, eBooks, CDs, board games, and DVDs
• using our WiFi, computers with internet, and scanners
• a freephone in many of our libraries to call other council services
• our reference facilities, which non-members can use
• reserving in-stock items and suggesting new books for purchase
• renewing an item

You can borrow items for the following periods:

We no longer charge overdue fees if you return an item late. Return items by their due date so others can enjoy them.

Services you pay for

Damaged or unreturned books

We will charge you if: 

• the item is damaged when returned
• you do not return the item at all

Printing costs

You can pay for your printing through our cashless payment system Print in City. If you are a regular user, sign up for an account.

Children can have up to 5 copies for homework free of charge.

Lost, stolen, or damaged items

Charges depend on the item's age and value. The minimum charges are:

• £5 for adult books
• £2.50 for children's books

Photograph Costs

Fiche and film reader printouts

We charge 20p per A4 sheet.

Buying copies of photographs

Copies of photographs in our collection can be provided in either digital or hard copy formats. Black and white, colour and Sepia prints all cost the same.

Ordering and pre-payments can be made at City Library on Level 6. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or card.

Small or medium businesses can get help with patent and trademark searches through the Business & IP Centre's Pathways to Innovation project. Contact the BIPC team at bipcnewcastle@newcastle.gov.uk for more information.

For other media:

• if you want a scanned print sent by email or WeTransfer, it costs £5 for each picture
• you can use our pictures on websites for free, but you need to request permission first through the heritage online enquiry form
• we have digital pictures of maps on our Historical maps Flickr page that you can get for £5 each

Heritage research costs

Here are our heritage research services charges:

• standard research costs £30 per hour (maximum 2 hours)
• you can find the prices for other Local Studies on the heritage online enquiry form

Room hire costs

We have a range of rooms available for hire at our libraries. Visit our room booking site for prices.

Tyne Bridge Publishing costs

Tyne Bridge Publishing is part of Newcastle Libraries. They publish books about the history of Newcastle upon Tyne and nearby areas. They have books on many topics, including:

• shipbuilding
• suburbs
• bridges on the Tyne

The individual costs for each of these books can be found at our Newcastle Libraries Tyne Bridge Publishing website.