Policy Contents 3 minute read.
Summary
Describes basic information about fines and fees related to lost items.
Definitions
- Library Patron: An individual who is eligible to use the UNT Libraries.
- Regular Circulating Materials: Library materials that can be circulated regularly such as books, music scores, government documents, and Curriculum Material Collection (CMC) items.
- Reserves: Any material placed on reserve as required or recommended reading for a course. These materials have a shorter loan period than regular circulating materials.
- Equipment: Any devices owned by UNT Libraries available to library patrons, including but not limited to calculators, headphones, phone chargers, and cameras. These materials have a shorter loan period than regular circulating materials.
- Overdue: An item that is checked out to a library patron and it is passed the due date.
- Billed: An item is billed when it has been overdue for an extended period of time. Returning the item will remove the billed status and there will be no late fees.
- Fines and fees: Fines are library charges due to late return of overdue items. Fees are library charges accrued due to damaged or lost items.
General Guidelines
If a library material is lost or billed, the patron is charged with the replacement fee of that item. Items returned with missing parts may be charged partial or full replacement fee as determined by the Libraries. Library materials are State property and have to be returned to the library or paid for once lost or billed. The replacement fee of the library materials varies depending on the type.
General Collections
The Libraries do not accept replacement copies for lost items from the general collection. The replacement fees for these items are:
| $50.00 | Regular circulating materials with the exception of juvenile and government documents collections. |
| $25.00 | Juvenile collection items. |
| $25.00 | Government documents collection. |
Reserves
The Libraries do not accept replacement copies for lost reserves items. The replacement fee for lost reserve materials is assessed by adding:
- The cost of the item as determined by the Libraries,
- The maximum fine for the material type.
Periodicals & Special Collections
The Libraries do not accept replacement copies for lost periodicals or special collections materials. The replacement fee for lost periodicals, media items, and music audio and equipment is assessed by adding:
- The cost of the item as determined by the Libraries,
- A processing fee of $30.00,
- A $26.50 service fee,
- The maximum fine for the material type.
Equipment
The replacement fee for lost equipment, which includes devices and other materials not covered in previous sections, is assessed by adding:
- The cost of the equipment as determined by the Libraries,
- The cost of container or cases, if applicable,
- A processing fee, if applicable.
Finding Materials After Payment of Replacement Fee
Patrons who locate library materials after payment may contact the Access Services Department and ask about a refund. If a payment is deemed eligible for a refund by the Libraries within three months of the payment, a refund is issued to the credit/debit card used for the payment. Eligible payments between three months and one year from the payment date, as well as cash payments will be paid by a check issued by the University. A refund request may take up to 3 months for processing.
Dates
- Approved: 06/01/17
- Revised: 12/19/19, 06/06/24
- Reviewed: 07/08/24
