Pay Library Fees Online

Please note that fine-free does not mean “no responsibility”.    Items have due dates and Baldwin sends notices according to the following schedule:

Reminder Email and/or text                         3 days before item is due

Overdue Email* and/or text                         7, 14, and 21 days overdue

Overdue Bill by Mail                                       30 days overdue

Collection Notice by Mail                               60 days overdue

*these notices will be sent by mail if an email address is not on file or notices bounce back to the Library

You will be unable to check out additional items nor will you be able to renew currently checked-out items if any of your materials are overdue by more than 10 days.  If you return the overdue item(s) within 30 days of the due date, you will have your library privileges restored automatically.

You will be billed the replacement cost for any items that are damaged or overdue by 30 days. At this point not only will you be unable to check out additional items but you will also be unable to use our digital resources and public computing services. If you pay the bill or return the items, in good condition, within 30 days of the billing date, you will have your library privileges restored.

Accounts owing more than $50 will be sent to collections if the materials are not returned or paid for after 30 days from the billing date. A $10 nonrefundable collection agency processing fee will be billed to your account. This information is NOT reported to credit bureaus. If you return the items, in good condition, within 90 days of being referred to collections, the replacement costs will be cleared from your account, but the collection agency processing fee will remain.  Once that fee is paid, your library privileges will be restored.  Payment of the entire bill in full will also restore your library privileges.

Past replacement fees for lost or damaged items still apply.

Patrons with any fees totaling $10.00 or greater will have their library privileges suspended until the issue is resolved.  Please note that any lost/damaged item incurs a charge for the full replacement cost as of when we purchased the item.

To make a payment:

• Pay online using the link above.  A link is also provided when you log into your account to see the amount owed.
• Pay by check, cashier’s check, or money order made out to “Baldwin Public Library”.  You may give the check to the Information Desk or mail it to the Library:
  

  Baldwin Public Library    300 W. Merrill    Birmingham, MI    48009

• Pay by cash when visiting the Library.

If you have questions about fees on your account, please call the Information Desk at 248-554-4630.

Lost/damaged Items and Replacement fees

Note that lost items incur a charge for the full replacement cost.

Patrons are responsible for returning all library materials by their due dates and in the same condition as they were in when borrowed. If a patron does not return a library item, or returns it in such condition that the item must be replaced, the patron will be billed for the cost of replacing the item.

The Baldwin Public Library reserves the right to assess and declare the condition of all returned library materials. Depending on the extent of damage, partial or full replacement cost of the item may be billed to the patron. Highlighting, marking, staining, and damage by liquids are all examples of billable damage. Missing parts or discs will also result in partial or full replacement cost being billed.

Baldwin does not base its replacement policy on the age or condition of the item. We do not accept replacement copies of materials in place of payment.

Should you find a lost Baldwin item within 120 days of its due date, return it directly to the Information Desk.  The item’s bill will be waived, or, if already paid, be refunded.  Refunds are made by check and can take up to 30 days to be sent to you.

Patrons with outstanding bills totaling $10.00 or greater will have their library privileges suspended until payment is received.

Patrons with outstanding bills totaling $50.00 or greater and at least one lost item billed may be referred to a collection agency.  Should this happen, a non-refundable $10.00 collection fee will be added to your account.

Please note that the cost to replace an item obtained through MeL or Interlibrary Loan is determined by the lending library, not by Baldwin, and may be substantial. Payment for these items must be made in the form of a check or money order made out to the lending library.

Claims Returned

If you find an item on your account that you are certain you returned, please call the Library at 248-554-4630, or visit the Information Desk upon your next visit. We will initiate a “claims returned search” for the item; during the following weeks, our staff will search our shelves to try and locate the item. Before contacting the library, please double-check your home and car, paying close attention beneath furniture and car seats.