Your Library Might Not Have a Fax Machine — But Your Phone Already Does
About 35% of U.S. libraries have no fax service at all. The rest charge $1–$2 per page, keep limited hours, and offer zero privacy. Before you drive across town to find out, send your fax online from your phone or laptop for a flat $3.50–$5.00. No library card needed, pay only on successful delivery.
Library Fax
- 35% of libraries have no fax service at all
- $1–$2/page — a 10-page fax costs $10–$20
- Limited hours, closed evenings/weekends/holidays
OneFaxNow
- $3.50 for 1–10 pages, $5.00 for 11–50 pages
- Pay only on successful delivery (free retries)
- Fax from your phone 24/7 — scan docs with your camera
The Short Answer: Library Fax Is a Gamble
Why you think the library is a good fax option:
- Libraries are free or cheap for printing and copying
- You assume fax machines are standard library equipment
- It seems like the most affordable way to send a single fax
- Your library had a fax machine years ago, so it probably still does
But the reality is:
- 35% of libraries don't offer fax services at all
- The ones that do charge $1–$2 per page — a 10-page fax costs $10–$20
- You must go during limited hours (typically 9 AM–5 PM weekdays)
- There's no privacy — staff and other patrons can see your documents
Key takeaway: Don't gamble on a trip to the library. Whether your branch has a fax machine or not, you can send your fax online right now for $3.50–$5.00 flat — with guaranteed delivery confirmation.
The Library Fax Lottery: Why You Can't Count on It
Unlike FedEx or UPS, there's no guarantee your local library even has a fax machine. Here's what surveys found.
of libraries have NO fax service
offer fax for FREE (with restrictions)
charge per page for fax
Why the inconsistency?
- Large urban libraries are more likely to have fax; suburban and rural branches often don't
- Some systems only have fax at the main branch (Houston Public Library: main branch only)
- Libraries are actively removing fax machines as analog phone lines are retired
- Even if your library has a fax machine, it may be broken, busy, or out of paper
- No national directory exists — you must call your specific branch to confirm
Heads up: The FCC is accelerating the retirement of analog POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines that library fax machines depend on. More libraries will lose fax capability in the coming years as carriers decommission copper networks.
Library Fax Pricing vs. OneFaxNow
Library fax looks cheap per page, but it adds up fast — especially when you factor in failed attempts and the trip.
| Option | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Library fax (5 pages, domestic) | $5.21 average | Plus transportation time and cost |
| Library fax (10 pages, domestic) | $10–$20 | If your library even has a fax machine |
| FedEx Office (5 pages) | $10.00 average | $1.89–$2.49/page, charges on failed faxes too |
| UPS Store (5 pages) | $10.50 average | $1.00–$2.00/page, varies by franchise |
| OneFaxNow (1–10 pages) | $3.50 flat | No trip, no per-page fees, pay only on success |
| OneFaxNow (11–50 pages) | $5.00 flat | Still cheaper than 3 pages at most libraries |
| OneFaxNow HIPAA (1–10 pages) | $6.50 flat | Instant BAA, audit logs, secure deletion |
| OneFaxNow HIPAA (11–50 pages) | $10.00 flat | Full HIPAA compliance for medical faxes |
Think about it: A 10-page fax at the library costs $10–$20 in per-page fees alone. The same fax on OneFaxNow is $3.50 flat — and you don't have to leave your house.
OneFaxNow Pricing
- Lite: $3.50 (1–10 pages)
- Standard: $5.00 (11–50 pages)
- Optional HIPAA add-on: +$3 (Lite) / +$5 (Standard)
Typical Library Fax Costs
- First page: $1.00–$2.00
- Additional pages: $0.50–$1.00 each
- International: $3.00–$5.00/page
- Some charge per attempt (even on failure)
- May require printing first (additional cost)
Bottom line: Unless you need to fax a single page and your library happens to offer free fax, online faxing is cheaper, faster, and more reliable.
What Happens When You Try to Fax at the Library
The Library Fax Experience
- 1Search online for "does my library have a fax machine"
- 2Can't find a clear answer — call the branch to ask
- 3Drive to the library during limited weekday hours
- 4Wait in line if someone else is using the fax machine
- 5Feed your pages one by one, hope the machine doesn't jam
- 6Pay per page — no confirmation it actually went through
The OneFaxNow Experience
- 1Open your browser on phone or laptop
- 2Upload PDF/Word/images (or scan with your camera)
- 3Enter fax number (U.S./Canada), optional cover page
- 4Pay with card/Apple Pay/Google Pay
- 5Track delivery in real time; pay only on success
Already compared other local fax options? FedEx Fax Alternative • UPS Fax Alternative • Staples & Office Depot Fax • Walmart Fax Alternative
Library Fax Availability by City
Here's what fax service looks like at major U.S. library systems — notice the inconsistency.
New York Public Library
$1–$2/page
Select locations only
Los Angeles Public Library
$2/page
Most branches
Chicago Public Library
$1.50/page
Limited locations
Houston Public Library
$2/page
Main branch only
Jefferson County (CO)
Free
All locations, local & long-distance
OneFaxNow (online)
$3.50–$5.00 flat
24/7, anywhere, no library card needed
Even if your library offers free fax, you still need to travel during limited hours, wait in line, and use a shared public machine. OneFaxNow is $3.50 from your phone, right now.
Send a Fax Online NowPrivacy: Why You Should Not Fax Sensitive Documents at the Library
At the Library
- •You're using a shared, public machine in a crowded space
- •Other patrons and staff can see your documents
- •No delivery confirmation — your fax may sit in an output tray
- •No BAA offered for HIPAA-covered information
- •No audit trail of who handled your documents
With OneFaxNow
- Upload directly from your own device over encrypted (TLS) connections
- Files are processed, sent, and automatically deleted:
- Standard mode: minimal retention for delivery + receipts
- HIPAA Mode: stricter handling, automatic PHI deletion with audit logging
- You get an instant BAA and a HIPAA Audit Dashboard for PHI faxes
If you're faxing medical records, prescriptions, or other PHI, a library fax machine is not HIPAA-compliant. No public library offers a BAA, audit trail, or secure file deletion. OneFaxNow's HIPAA Mode is built specifically for this, starting at $6.50.
Learn about HIPAA FaxLibrary Fax vs OneFaxNow — Full Comparison
| Feature | Library | OneFaxNow |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed availability | No — 35% don't have fax; machines break | Yes — online 24/7/365 |
| Cost for 10-page fax | $10–$20 (per-page fees) | $3.50 flat |
| Hours | Library hours only (typically 9 AM–5 PM weekdays) | 24/7 from any device |
| Travel required | Yes — drive to library, find parking | No — fax from your phone or laptop |
| Account needed | Library card may be required | No account — pay-per-fax |
| Delivery confirmation | Often none — no way to verify delivery | Real-time online status + email confirmation |
| Fax from phone | No | Yes — upload files or scan with camera |
| HIPAA support | No — public machine, no BAA, no audit trail | Optional HIPAA Mode with BAA, audit logs, secure deletion |
| Retry on busy | Manual — re-feed pages, pay again | Up to 3 automatic retries; pay only on success |
| If fax fails | Most charge per attempt — you pay even on failure | No charge — pay only on success |
| Privacy | None — public space, shared machine | Private — your device, encrypted transmission |
Library Fax — Common Questions
Can you fax at the public library?
It depends on your specific library. About 35% of U.S. libraries don't offer fax services at all. Of those that do, roughly half charge per page and the other half offer it free (usually with restrictions like page limits or a library card requirement). You'll need to call your specific branch to confirm — there's no national standard. Alternatively, you can skip the guesswork and fax online with OneFaxNow for $3.50–$5.00 flat from your phone.
How much does it cost to fax at the library?
Library fax pricing varies widely. Domestic faxes typically cost $1–$2 for the first page and $0.50–$1.00 for each additional page. A 5-page domestic fax averages $5.21 across U.S. libraries. International faxes can cost $3–$5 per page. Some libraries offer free faxing, while others charge a staff assistance fee on top of per-page costs. By comparison, OneFaxNow charges $3.50 flat for up to 10 pages and $5.00 flat for up to 50 pages.
Do all libraries have fax machines?
No. A survey of U.S. libraries found that approximately 35% do not offer fax services. Among those that do, availability often varies by branch — large main branches are more likely to have fax machines than smaller suburban or rural locations. Some library systems, like Houston Public Library, only offer fax at the main branch. Others have removed their fax machines entirely.
Can I receive a fax at the library?
Most libraries that offer fax services only support outgoing faxes — sending, not receiving. If you need to receive a fax, the library is generally not an option. OneFaxNow is a send-only service designed for one-time outbound faxing to U.S. and Canada numbers.
Is it safe to fax medical records at the library?
No. Library fax machines are in public spaces where other patrons and staff can see your documents. Libraries do not offer HIPAA-compliant faxing — there's no Business Associate Agreement (BAA), no audit trail, and no secure file deletion. If you need to fax medical records, prescriptions, or other Protected Health Information (PHI), use OneFaxNow's HIPAA Mode ($6.50 for 1–10 pages) which includes an instant BAA, encrypted transmission, audit logs, and automatic PHI deletion.
What are typical library fax hours?
Library fax services are only available during library operating hours, which are typically 9 AM to 5 PM or 10 AM to 6 PM on weekdays. Many libraries have reduced Saturday hours and are closed on Sundays and federal holidays. Some branches restrict fax services to specific time windows. OneFaxNow is available 24/7 — you can fax at 10 PM on a Sunday or during a holiday.
What if the library fax machine is broken or busy?
This is a common problem. Library fax machines are aging equipment on analog phone lines that the FCC is phasing out. If the machine is broken or in use, you'll have to wait or make another trip. With OneFaxNow, you send your fax immediately from your phone for $3.50 — no equipment to break, no lines to wait in.
Is faxing at the library cheaper than faxing online?
For a single page, a library may be slightly cheaper ($1 vs. $3.50). But for multi-page faxes, online faxing wins decisively. A 10-page library fax costs $10–$20 in per-page fees, while OneFaxNow charges $3.50 flat for up to 10 pages. A 20-page library fax could cost $20–$40, while OneFaxNow charges $5.00 flat for up to 50 pages. Plus, library pricing doesn't account for your travel time and cost.
Do I need a library card to fax?
Many libraries require a valid library card to use fax services. Some charge non-cardholders a higher rate or don't allow them to fax at all. Getting a library card typically requires proof of residency, which can be a problem if you're traveling or recently moved. OneFaxNow requires no account, no card, no membership — just upload, pay, and send.
Can I fax from my phone instead of going to the library?
Yes. With OneFaxNow, you can fax directly from your phone by uploading PDFs, photos, Word docs, or other files. Our Android and iOS apps include a built-in document scanner with multipage support so you can snap photos of paper documents and fax them instantly. No fax machine, library, or phone line needed.
Skip the Trip to the Library — Fax From Your Phone in 2 Minutes
Your library might have a fax machine. Or it might not. Don't waste the trip finding out. Upload your document, enter the fax number, and send it online right now — with flat pricing, real-time tracking, and optional HIPAA for medical faxes.