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Calendar reminder - don't forget when your items are due!

Fines & Fees at Lake County Public Library

Overdue fines do not apply to most items!

We are pleased to say that less than 2% of our items become overdue. Thank you! 

Other fines and fees exist at the library to help ensure that everyone gets the items they want in a timely fashion.

Cards carrying fines or fees will not be able to access the digital library, including Hoopla, Kanopy, and Libby. Here are the most common fines and fees:

Printing: $0.05/page

Overdue Fines: 
We are predominantly fine-free! Most items do not accrue daily overdue fines and will only generate a fine if lost (see Lost Item Fee below).

Only the following items will still accrue overdue fines to ensure their timely return:

  • Bestseller Express
  • Interlibrary Loan
  • Book Club to Go Kits
  • Video Game Consoles
  • Video Games 
Daily Fine: $1.00 (max $10.00)

If overdue fines are preventing you from using the library, please let us know so we can help.

Lost Item (aka Replacement Cost) Fee:
A lost item is any item that has been overdue for more than 14 days or is reported lost by the borrower. The fee is the original retail price at the time of purchase.

Lost items may not be replaced by the patron in lieu of paying the fee. However, if the item is later found, we are happy to reimburse the lost item fee minus any overdue charges.

A lost item on your record will prevent you from checking out additional items until the fee is paid or the item is returned.


Refunds:

Patrons pay for lost library materials in order to have a library account in good standing. If the library items are found and returned in good condition, a refund may be issued. Refunds, minus any outstanding charges, are processed within 4 to 6 weeks.

Any payments for interlibrary loan items (materials from other library systems) are not refundable.

Upcoming Events
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Cancelled
Mon, Dec 22, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Mon, Dec 22, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A
Compete in a series of fast-paced games and activities that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Mon, Dec 22, 1:00pm - 1:40pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
Join us for a storytime for kids 4-5 years old, featuring stories, music and craft, that help develop early literacy skills. Attendees... more
Join us for a storytime for kids 4-5 years old, featuring stories, music and craft, that help develop early literacy skills. Attendees must register.

Mon, Dec 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Mon, Dec 22, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
The holidays are here! Whether you celebrate or not, it's hard to say no to cookies. Teens, come by to make gingerbread men from... more
The holidays are here! Whether you celebrate or not, it's hard to say no to cookies. Teens, come by to make gingerbread men from scratch! We'll decorate sugar cookies while they bake.
This event is full

Mon, Dec 22, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Merrillville - Upper Level
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Mon, Dec 22, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room,Programming Room
Join us for this monthly club as we solve murder mysteries, escape rooms, ponder puzzles, play games, and otherwise ask... more
Join us for this monthly club as we solve murder mysteries, escape rooms, ponder puzzles, play games, and otherwise ask "Whodunit?". Will we solve the "Murder in the North Pole"?

Mon, Dec 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster - Children's Program Room
Children (completed grades K-5) may free build with the library's LEGO® blocks or build a 'challenge' project.

Mon, Dec 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room
A monthly program featuring activities in the area of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math with different activity/ theme... more
A monthly program featuring activities in the area of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math with different activity/ theme each program.

Tue, Dec 23, 10:30am - 11:15am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room
Children will have fun developing early literary skills as they enjoy stories, songs, crafts and more.

Tue, Dec 23, 10:30am - 1:30pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Join us and bring your current painting projects/materials for an opportunity to chat and create!

Tue, Dec 23, 11:30am - 11:50am
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
Babies and toddlers, birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, will enjoy this program filled with rhymes, books,... more
Babies and toddlers, birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, will enjoy this program filled with rhymes, books, music, and movement designed to help early literacy skills.
This event is full

Tue, Dec 23, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room
This is a storytime program for babies and toddlers birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, filled with rhymes,... more
This is a storytime program for babies and toddlers birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, filled with rhymes, books, music, and movement designed to help early literacy skills.

Tue, Dec 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room C
Join Kathy, a Certified Laughter Leader-Expert, for this 8-week series to relieve mental and physical discomfort by laughing!

Tue, Dec 23, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Take a time out this fourth Tuesday from holiday planning for some calming music, word puzzles, coloring sheets, & other relaxing... more
Take a time out this fourth Tuesday from holiday planning for some calming music, word puzzles, coloring sheets, & other relaxing activities.

Tue, Dec 23, 4:00pm - 5:15pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Have you seen people playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and want to try it yourself? We will be playing the fantasy RPG "Dragonbane",... more
Have you seen people playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and want to try it yourself? We will be playing the fantasy RPG "Dragonbane", a game similar to D&D. Beginners are welcome. For ages 12-18. 

Tue, Dec 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Merrillville - Small Group Room #3
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Fri, Dec 26, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Join an open play Mahjong session; there is NO INSTRUCTOR but other players may share tips/directions. Please bring a game set if you... more
Join an open play Mahjong session; there is NO INSTRUCTOR but other players may share tips/directions. Please bring a game set if you have one! On-hand gaming supplies are limited. Ages 18 & over.

Sat, Dec 27, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Join us at the library to play Bingo! All ages are welcome to play. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of small prizes.... more
Join us at the library to play Bingo! All ages are welcome to play. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of small prizes. Please register.

Mon, Dec 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning... more
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning volunteer hours!

Mon, Dec 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Merrillville - Upper Level
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Mon, Dec 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
Children (completed grades K-5) may free build with the library's LEGO® blocks or build a 'challenge' project. Constructions will be... more
Children (completed grades K-5) may free build with the library's LEGO® blocks or build a 'challenge' project. Constructions will be displayed in the library until the next LEGO® Club meeting.
This event is full

Rescheduled
Mon, Dec 29, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
New date Monday, December 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning... more
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning volunteer hours!

Mon, Dec 29, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Munster - Children's Program Room
Steel yourself for the rest of the week with Monday Night Adult D&D! We'll be following 5e rules and will be running the Out of the... more
Steel yourself for the rest of the week with Monday Night Adult D&D! We'll be following 5e rules and will be running the Out of the Abyss campaign. Beginners and experienced players welcome!
This event is full

Tue, Dec 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Highland - Meeting Room A
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Tue, Dec 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Join us as we play some winter bingo and win some small prizes, while supplies last. All ability programs are geared towards adults with... more
Join us as we play some winter bingo and win some small prizes, while supplies last. All ability programs are geared towards adults with special needs. Registration required.

Cancelled
Tue, Dec 30, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Merrillville
Celebrate the new year at our Noon Year's Eve Party! There will be stories, songs, a craft, and light refreshments. Please register so... more
Celebrate the new year at our Noon Year's Eve Party! There will be stories, songs, a craft, and light refreshments. Please register so we know how many supplies to order.

Tue, Dec 30, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room C
Join Kathy, a Certified Laughter Leader-Expert, for this 8-week series to relieve mental and physical discomfort by laughing!

Tue, Dec 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Merrillville - Small Group Room #3
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Tue, Dec 30, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville - Board Room
Meeting of the Lake County Public Library Board of Trustees