Libraries ACT director Vanessa Little announced on Friday a new library loans policy would come into effect on March 1.

She said the new system was about introducing penalties that were ''reasonable and fair'' but also equitable, meaning pensioners - for the first time in at least recent history - now have to pay library fines.

''This system now makes it fair and equitable for everyone,'' she said.

''This is an age-old problem that libraries have. People don't connect the fact if they keep their items, they're stopping other people from using those items and they're publicly shared assets.''

Libraries ACT also announced any $175 fees incurred during its trial period will be refunded or waived.

The new administration fee for items deemed lost will be $6 per item, a fee that will come into effect once an item is 30 days overdue.

Fines for overdue items will be 25¢ per item per day - up from 20¢ per day - with a maximum cap of $7 per item.

And the loan limit has been reduced to a maximum of 50 items per member. Previously the system would allow borrowers to take out 99 items at a time.

When items are overdue - after four weeks - members will be suspended from borrowing and using library computers. Items such as DVDs can now be borrowed for a month rather than two weeks. The only items not available for a four-week loan will be those in high demand.

Libraries ACT introduced a trial policy in mid-2012 which waived any outstanding overdue fines to that date but introduced hefty new administration fees.

Under the trial, items that were 28 days overdue were deemed lost and a bill was sent out for replacement costs, along with a $25 administration fee.

Items that were 84 days overdue copped a $175 administration fee - which actually translated to a $200 fine including the previously issued $25 administration fee.

Libraries ACT argued at the time that the new fees were to take into account the cost of staff time to process invoices ''as well as conduct shelving audits to ensure accuracy of collection data''.

Ms Little said on Friday that an evaluation of the trial indicated the need for penalties which were considered reasonable and fair, equal implementation of the policy for all library members regardless of age and circumstance, and consistent enforcement.

"It is important to strike a balance between providing access to the library and its services and ensuring that items are returned to the library collection for use by the community," Ms Little said.

She said the introduction of a $6 per item administration fee for late items rather than a flat $25 or $175 fee meant that borrowers could still run up significant fines if they had numerous items overdue.

''In the past, you got the $25 or $175 fee but that was per borrowing event, so you might have borrowed five or six books,'' she said. ''Now it's per item, and if people have a lot of items overdue and they leave them too long, they could very easily clock up that amount or more. The trick is always to call us or pop in or extend online. We've got multiple ways for you to extend items so they don't become overdue.''

The evaluation process includes conducting four focus groups with library members. The change applies to all pensioners, not just the aged.