Circulation--Dunagan Library

Most books circulate for 28 days. If there is no hold on a book, you may renew the book for a further 28 days. Faculty have longer check-out periods; community borrowers a shorter. Reference books and periodicals do not circulate. Videos circulate only to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff. Video check-out period is three days for students; 14 days for faculty. Materials on Reserve have other due date policies. Video, Reserve, and Recall overdue fines are substantial. Presentation of a valid UTPB ID and/or borrower card is required for all circulation of materials as well as some other services.

Overdue Materials: Items are clearly stamped with a due date at checkout. Please be courteous and either renew or return the book by the due date. Overdue charges vary from 25¢ a day to $1 per day. If a book is not returned within 28 days past the due date, a bill for the book is generated. This bill includes a substantial non-refundable processing fee per book ($15). Fees or fines remain due even if overdue materials are returned. Video overdues are $1 per day; most Reserve overdues are 25¢ per hour. When materials are returned you may request a receipt. Overdue charges affect student standing with the Registrar's Office and access to library privileges.

Holds / Recalls: In order to ensure that limited materials are available to the entire academic community in a timely manner, the Library reserves the right to recall books to the Library for use by other patrons. Requests to have a book recalled or to put a hold on a book may be made at the Circulation Desk. A recall fine of $1 per day accrues on recalled materials. No patron or patron-type is exempt from the recall fine.

Reserve Materials: Books and articles put on reserve by the faculty for student use are available at the Circulation Desk. Lists of reserve items appear in the OPAC and the Reserve Binder at the Circulation Desk. A student should know the instructor's name to facilitate requests for reserve materials. Most materials are available for two hour in-Library use. However some materials are available for longer periods. Overdue fines are 25¢ per hour. Videos placed on Reserve in Room 140 can generally be used only in the library.

When library materials are renewed or returned after their due date, overdue fines are charged. The Library sends overdue notices as a courtesy reminder that the material is overdue. It is the patrons responsibility to notify both the Library and the University of any change of address.

Item Type Fine
Regular items
(Circulating book collection) $15.00 per item when returned 28 days or more past the due date

Reserve items $0.25 (cents) per item per hour
$25.00 maximum late fine per item

Recalled Books $1.00 per item per day
NO maximum charge

Video, Non-Print Media $1.00 per item per day
$25.00 Maximum late fine per item

Curriculum Library &
K-12 Textbook Collection $.0.25 (cents) per item per day
$25.00 maximum late fine per item $25.00

When an item is 28 days overdue, or when a patron informs the library circulation staff that the item is lost, we bill you for the replacement of that item.

Depending on material type, bill-for-replacement charges may consist of up to 3 parts:

[1]   A non-refundable processing fee of $15.00

[2]   The replacement cost of the item. This varies with the material type of the item, most general circulating books currently have a replacement cost of $50.

[**] For videos and non-print media replacement charges are for the full price of the material. All non-print materials other than videos have a minimum replacement charge of $50. Videos have a particularly wide price range. Replacing the film Full Metal Jacket would cost $25, while replacing the film Caravaggio would cost more than $300.

[3]  The overdue fine, as applicable. See maximum fines above.

FYI: The vast majority of library bills consist only of numbers 1 and 2.

Library fines and fees are assessed at the Circulation Desk. The Library charges fines and fees to the students individual account, but payment of such fees is made through the Accounting Office. This allows payments to be made at the student's convenience, and allows the student to pay in cash, by check or by credit card; in person, by telephone, or online through the Campus Connect system.

Access Services will research overdue charges at patron request. The form is available at the Circulation Desk. Librarians will research the request and provide follow-up information.

Examples of reasons that do not constitute a valid basis for changing fines or fees include, such things as:

Change of Address.
University policy requires that students notify the university ASAP when addresses, phone numbers, etc. are changed.
Not knowing circulation policies
Not agreeing with Library policy
Inability to pay fines or charges.

As of 29 May 2001, the Library has made special arrangements with the Accounting Office to enable students who need to subdivide payments of fines and replacements fees totalling more than $100. Enquire at the Circulation Desk about this payment option.
Forgetting the due date
Loaning the material to a third party
Allowing another person to use your ID card

Page Created:11 may 2000
Page updated: 1 june 2001
Page updated: 14 january 2002
Page updated: 10 april 2002
Page updated: 24 September 2008

General Circulation Information

Overdue Fines or Fees Information