Dearborn Public Library

Circulation Policy

The Dearborn Public Library is now officially fine-free.

The Library Commission approved this policy change at the December 10, 2021 meeting. While the new policy officially takes effect in January 2022, the library has not been charging overdue fines since March 2020, when the State of Michigan went into the Stay Home, Stay safe order issued by Governor Whitmer.

Checkout Periods, Overdue Fines, and Limits

Material	Check Out Period (Days)	Overdue Charge (Daily)	Check Out Limit
Books, Adult and Juvenile	28	$0	*
New Books, Adult	14	$0	*
Juvenile Holiday Books, in Season	7	$0	Varies
Audio Books	28	$0	10
Music CDs	14	$0	25
Entertainment / International Language DVDs	7	$0	Max 6 per day / 12 total
Informational DVDs	28	$0	12
Video Games	7	$0	2
Magazines	7	$0	10
Book Club Kits	45	$1.00	2
Mobile Hotspot	14	$2.00	1
Playaway Device	14	$2.00	1
*total standard checkout limit=100

Checking Out Library Materials

You will need a valid library card to check out library materials. To learn more about getting or updating your library card, see Getting A Library Card.
Bring your library card and the items you want to borrow to the Circulation Desk.
You will receive a receipt that shows each title you have checked out and the date it’s due back to the library.
Some items cannot be checked out- these items are marked Reference or have a red “R” on the spine.

Returning and Renewing

You can renew most items by visiting or calling any library, logging on to your account online, or calling our automated line any time at 313-943-3091.
Items can only be renewed two (2) times (with the exception of items with a waiting list, book club kits and video games) and overdue material or late charges may prevent renewal. If material is renewed after the due date, appropriate overdue fines will be assessed.
Items can be returned to any Dearborn library branch- Henry Ford Centennial, Bryant, or Esper.
Items can be returned even when the library is closed by placing items in the outdoor return slot at any branch.

Overdues

If your fines reach $10.00 or more, you must pay before you will be allowed to check out materials. Notices of overdue materials are mailed after 7 days.
If you receive a notice and are certain you have returned the materials, please notify the library immediately.
If you have excessive overdue fines and/or fees, your account will be referred to a collection agency, and a collection fee will be added.
A $30 fee will be charged for checks returned for insufficient funds.
Online payments for fines and fees can be made here.

Outstanding Credit

Any outstanding credit balance $5.00 or less on expired (over one year) accounts will be considered a donation to Dearborn Public Library. Credit balances in excess of $5.00 are reported to the State of Michigan and they will manage the application to refund this unclaimed amount. Accounts are reviewed by the Library on an annual basis.