Expression: "Rent a book"

[Tom]

Hi

Can we use the word "rent" with a book--I mean, when we pay for the use of a book from a private library?

Do you find this conversation correct and natural?

On returning the book to the private Public Library:

[Mister Micawber]

.
We don't normally pay for books borrowed, so the phrase sounds odd to me in any context.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Tofu]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_library
Libraries lend books and materials freely, but charge fines if materials are returned late or damaged.

http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/dictionary/rent_2
rent something (especially North American English)
to pay money to somebody so that you can use something for a short period of time
- We rented a car for the week and explored the area.
- Shall we rent a movie this evening?

What would British English speakers say instead of "rent something"?

[Aiken]

[Beeesneees]

Ho Tofu,

I'd hire small things like videos DVDs (and books, if that scenario existed), but rent larger things like cars, property, bicycles.

I would borrow a book from a library, so it would be on loan to me. If I had to pay a fine, then I might ask 'How much of a fine do I owe?' or 'How many days' fine(s) do I owe?
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Cheers m' dears!

[Waiyin Cheng]

Hi, Beeesneees.
Could you explain me why you use "fine" as a noun (on your reply) or it just a mistake in typing (it should be "fee" right ?)

[Tofu]

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/fine_41
fine

an amount of money that you have to pay because you have broken the law

He had to pay a hefty fine.

I got a $100 fine for speeding.

Companies could face fines of up to $100,000.

The court has the right to impose heavy fines (=large fines).

[Waiyin Cheng]

Thank you for your help, Tofu

[Beeesneees]

No Waiyin, it's not a typo.

I presume you know that if you fine (verb) someone, you punish them by making them pay a sum of money.
That sum of money is their fine (noun).

"You must pay your fine within two weeks."
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Cheers m' dears!