Loan Periods & LimitsA patron may have a total of 64 items checked out on their patron record at one time. Failure to pay accrued fees may result in the borrower's account being turned over to our collection agency Fidelity Creditor Services. The patron is charged the cost of turning over the account to Fidelity. Patrons who have been sent to the Collection Agency may not check out materials until the balance is paid in full.
*If an item is reserved by another patron the check out period is limited to two weeks. Please refer to fine free FAQ at the bottom of this page for more information. Fees*
Returning Library MaterialsItems checked out from the Beverly Hills Public Library must be returned to the Beverly Hills Public Library. Materials may be returned to the book slot located in the self check island or to the Customer Service Desk. An outside Book Drop is located in the handicapped parking area in the lot off Rexford Drive. An automated return is also available in the north wall of the building adjacent to the handicap parking area. Renewing Library MaterialsBooks and audio books may be renewed for 14 days, a maximum of two times. DVDs, BluRays, Music CDs, and interlibrary loan materials may not be renewed. Items for which there are pending holds/reservations may not be renewed. Items are not eligible for renewal until 7 days before their due date. Holds / ReservesYou can place a HOLD on any item that is available to check out. Holds can be placed from any Library computer, or over the Web by clicking on Search the Catalog on the Library's Web Page. After searching for the title you wish to reserve, select the request button at the top of the screen. Click here for further instructions on how to place a reserve online. Holds/reserve may also be placed at the Circulation Desk. If an item is not picked up a charge of $1.00 will be added to your account. Fees are non-refundable. You will receive an automated telephone notification or email when your items are available. Interlibrary Loan ServiceInterlibrary Loan (ILL) offers our patrons the opportunity to request and receive items that are not owned by Beverly Hills Public Library. Through ILL, you have access to the circulating book collections of all the libraries in the Southern California Library Cooperative, as well as universities and public library systems throughout the United States. You must have a valid Beverly Hills Public Library card to use this service. There are no fees for materials found in libraries who are members of the Southern California Library Cooperative. For materials outside of the cooperative, there is a $5.30 service charge to cover the cost of shipping. If the lending library charges a fee you will be contacted to find out if you are willing to pay the charges. LOST OR DAMAGED MATERIALSLost or damaged items charges are based on the replacement cost of the item and in addition a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee. California’s Library Service for People with Print DisabilitiesCalifornia’s Library Service for People with Print Disabilities, in association with the Library of Congress, provides free Braille and audio books, magazines and playback equipment to all eligible Californians unable to read standard print. Follow the link to find your local braille and talking book library and sign up for free services. Fine Free FAQWhy is the Beverly Hills Public Library no longer collecting overdue fines? Our goal is to make sure everyone can enjoy all the books and services the library has to offer. Overdue fines prevent people from checking out books and other materials from the library. The library wants to unblock accounts, encourage everyone to bring items back, and use the library once again. What is the difference between a fine and a fee? Fines are punitive. Fees are for library services and products such as library cards, copying, printing, material replacement costs, etc. Will the library lose money or materials due to the new Fine-Free Policy? Overdue fines make up less than one percent (1%) of the library's operating budget and in fact cost more in staff time to collect than what is received. It costs nearly $3.00 to collect $0.15 fine, for example. The amount we receive in overdue fines continues to decrease every year. We want all our materials to be returned on time, but understand that patrons are not always able to come to the library. Our goal is to provide equal access to library's resources for all our patrons. How does the new Fine-Free Policy work? Overdue fines will not be reflected on the patron's account for late items. We will send notices to patrons regarding overdue materials. After 30 days overdue, the item is considered lost and the patron will be billed the replacement cost and processing fee; if the item is returned undamaged, all related fees shall be removed from the account and borrowing privileges will be reinstated. When does the new Fine-Free Policy go into effect? As of July 1, 2022 all materials checked out will no longer accrue overdue fines. Please note this does not apply to lost items or damage fees or accounts in collection.
Important Numbers to Remember
1 day after materials are due the items are considered overdue. 7 days overdue we will send an email or call alerting you your library materials are overdue. 14 days overdue we will email or call you with a second reminder to return or renew. 30 days overdue the library will consider the items lost and email or mail you an invoice for the cost of the overdue item, applicable fees, and your library card will be barred, preventing you from renewing or checking out materials. 60 days overdue if you have not returned the item or paid the invoice we will send your account to our collection agency. |