Fee Policy

Hennepin County Library Board Policy

Purpose

This policy states the principles upon which fees are established; advises the acceptable scope of library fees; and describes the roles and responsibilities for establishing and administering fees.

Principles

Our overarching value is access to and stewardship of library resources in support of our mission:

  • Hennepin County Library serves the community as a whole and strives to make its limited collection and services freely accessible to all. We are committed to reducing economic barriers to library access and use.
  • Patrons are responsible for the materials they borrow. When materials are returned late or are lost, they are no longer available for others.
  • The library is a publicly funded institution and will establish fees and fines only after a public hearing. As of January 1, 2021, Hennepin County Library is a “fine free” library. This means that no fines are assessed for overdue library materials, and all outstanding overdue fines on patrons’ accounts have been forgiven and removed from the accounts.

Scope and Application

Patrons are responsible for the library materials and technology checked out on their cards and are expected to return borrowed items in a timely manner.

As set forth on the library’s fee page:

  • A fee will be charged to a patron’s account for items not returned within current allowable limits of their final due date.
  • If the patron returns the overdue item within one year of the due date, the fee will be waived and removed from the patron’s account.
  • If the fee total on a patron’s account exceeds current allowable limits, then limitations may be placed on the account.
  • Patrons who deliberately damage or steal library material or technology may have further service denied.

Fees may be established to support the provision of supplemental services (e.g., photocopying). Circumstances may warrant staff to waive a patron’s fees and equitably according to established practices. In addition, the Library Director may authorize some library programs or services (e.g., Outreach Services) to be exempt from fees.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners bears the authority to establish library fees and fines.

The Library Board has the responsibility for establishing fee and fine policies which align with the decisions of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and leading library practice.

The Library Director, as a part of the annual budget process, briefs the Library Board regarding any proposed fee and fine changes and advances to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners for approval.

The Library Services Division Manager (or designee) posts a library administrative policy that:

  • establishes practices to collect and waive library fees and fines;
  • defines expectations for the timely resolution of disputes; and
  • determines the necessary level of financial oversight and review.

Authorized fees are posted on the library’s fee page. Library staff will collect fees, resolve disputes in a timely way, and work with patrons to restore borrowing and library use privileges.

Associated Policies and Laws

Process

This policy is reviewed by the Library Director (or designee) every four (4) years, or more frequently as needed. Recommendations are forwarded to a Library Board committee. The committee reviews and revises as necessary, endorses and advances to the full Library Board for approval.

Policy History

Next Review: 2030
Date last reviewed: June 17, 2026