Fines

When items borrowed from the UTS Library are not returned by the due date, fines will apply at the following rates:

Fines are not payable until the total amount is $30 or more.

If your fines reach $30 or more, you will be suspended from borrowing items. Provided you have not reached your renewal limit, items on loan can be renewed with the fine added for days overdue, but you may have to contact staff to do it for you.

To have borrowing privileges reinstated, total fines must be reduced to under $30. The minimum payment at any one time is $10. (Partial payment does not apply to unreturned items which have been Billed for Replacement. The Bill must be paid in full).

Total fines of $50 or more may prevent issuing of exam results, re-enrolment and graduation for UTS students.

Fines were introduced to ensure improved access to Library material by encouraging the return of material in high-demand such as course material on subject reading lists in the Closed Reserve and 7 Day Loan collections.

Fines have been highly successful in encouraging the return of borrowed items on time. Before fines were introduced, as many as 40% of all loans were overdue after 2 days, and 15% were overdue long-term. The reduction to around 3% overdue when fines were introduced was impressive.

The Library recognises that there are borrowers who have an occasional problem returning books on time. For this reason, fines are not payable until the total is $30 or more.

The Library has also implemented a number of measures to encourage borrowers to return items by the due date and thereby, avoid fines.

Examples of these are:

• reminder notices are sent by email to alert borrowers 3 days before the item is due back from loan
• you can renew loans online through MyLibrary
• notices are sent 2 days after an item is overdue;
• borrowing is blocked when total fines reach $30;
• fines are not payable until the total is $30 or more;
• overdue items can be renewed (unless reserved), thus limiting total fines;
• students with good reason for being unable to return items on time are treated sympathetically through the fines appeals process.

Who doesn't have to pay fines.

Borrowers who return items on loan from the UTS Library by the due date or time and whose fines are under $30.

Who has to pay fines

A borrower who keeps items on loan from the UTS Library beyond the due date or time, and whose TOTAL fines reach $30 or more will have to pay fines. This applies to:

• staff
• students
• alumni
• associate members

Refunds

In general, there are no fine refunds. Fine refunds are only given when the University Library has made an error. Refunds will NOT be given if, for example, you find books at home for which you have previously paid replacement costs, or for any other reason.