Fines & Fees FAQs

  • General Questions

    Your library is fines free! The Westerville Public Library no longer charges overdue fines for items returned late. To avoid replacement costs or fees, return or renew before your items are 30 days overdue.

    Note: If you accrued fines prior to August 17, 2017, these will remain on your account until paid.

    The following steps will be taken if you do not return an item on time and in good condition.

    • At 2, 10 and 20 days overdue, you will receive a reminder to return items.
    • At 30 days overdue, you will receive a bill in the mail for the replacement cost of the item.* 
    • At 55 days overdue, your account will be sent to a materials recovery service - Unique Management Services - if outstanding fees total $25 or more and you will be charged a non-refundable $10 fee. If item is returned, the $10 fee will remain until paid.
    • The materials recovery service will contact you about your delinquent account until your account balance is at zero.
    • Once your account balance has been resolved, the library will communicate your account status change to the materials recovery service within 24 hours.

    Billed items or fines of $10 or more will result in your library account being blocked. You will be unable to renew or check out items until billed items are returned and fines/fees are paid.

    At any given time during this process, the notification cycle can be suspended when you have made payment arrangements using Unique Management Service's Suspend Process.

    * For items borrowed prior to November 18, 2024, you may be charged a $5 processing fee.

    Please return at your earliest convenience. The following fees will be charged.

    • $25 replacement cost for items borrowed from SearchOhio (at 30 days overdue)
    • $125 replacement cost for items borrowed from OhioLINK (at 30 days overdue)

    For more information about the policies relating to items borrowed from other libraries, refer to SearchOhio or OhioLINK.

    Note: All fee amounts are determined by the consortium.

    Fines, fees, or bills may be assessed for lost, damaged, or overdue items. The following payment options are available:

    • Via your online account (credit or debit card, $1 minimum) 
    • At the library (cash, check, credit or debit card, some digital wallet options)
    • By phone (credit or debit card)
    • By mail (check)*

    *Make check payable to Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., Westerville, OH 43081. Include your full name and library card number.