Fines
Borrowing Period |
Fine |
30 Days |
$0.50/Day |
14 Days |
$0.50/Day |
7 Days |
$0.50/Day |
3 Days |
$0.50/Day |
1 Day |
$0.50/Day |
Hourly Loans |
$2.00/Hour |
Recalled Book |
$2.00/Day |
Recalls
All 30 Day loan materials are subject to recall. A two week loan is guaranteed unless a book is needed for course reserves. If a request has been placed on one of your books, your due date will be shortened and you may not renew the loan. You will be notified of the new due date by email. You must return the book by the shortened due date in order to avoid fines. Overdue recalled books will automatically block your library account.
Long Overdue or Missing books
A fee of $135 ($120 for the replacement of material + a $15 processing fee) is automatically charged for loans that are more than 30 days overdue. Overdue fines cap when the replacement charge is assessed. Capped fines will range between $15-30 depending on the loan period and fine rate for the overdue material. The $135 charge will be waived when overdue materials are returned. The overdue fine(s) will remain on your account.
If you have lost a library book and need to replace it, contact the service desk of the owning library. Staff at the service desk can advise you on your options.
Questions about material borrowed through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) should be directed to Document Services. See their website for more information.
Blocks
If you have:
- 2 long overdue items or
- 1 overdue recalled item or
- $270 in accrued overdue fines
Your borrowing privileges will be blocked until the overdue materials are returned or the fines are paid.
Overdue Notices
Library patrons are notified by email when material is overdue or has been recalled by another user. Please ask at any library service desk if you think your email address may be incorrect or you want to update it.
How to avoid library fines
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the accrual of fines. Such fines will not be considered for appeal.
- Stay familiar with the Libraries’ circulation policies.
- Read your library courtesy and overdue notices.
- Update the library when your home address or email changes.
- Check your loans regularly through Your Account.
- Return items on time.
- Do not loan items you have borrowed to a friend.
- Return items before going on leave or vacation.
- Return items before leaving the country.
- Avoid returning items by mail whenever possible. Items that are received after the due date and grace period have passed will accrue fines.
- Renew items on or before the due date through Your Account or by telephone.
Reasons considered basis for appeal
- Library error processing the transaction.
- Family emergency.
- Serious illness or injury.
Fine Appeals
Please use the fine appeal if you believe that one of the “reasons considered basis for appeal” applies to your situation. Include specific information about the item, associated charge, date and place where you returned the material. Library staff will review your appeal and respond within a week.
Claiming an Item as Returned or Never Checked Out
If you believe you have already returned or never checked out a book that is on your library account, fill out the fine appeal or contact the service desk of the owning library. Please provide specific information about when and where the item was returned. The item(s) will be marked as "claimed returned" but remain on your account during the search process.
Staff will check the shelves and processing areas of the owning library, as well as the other MIT Libraries. If the claimed returned item is not found in the first search, a secondary search will be repeated 4 weeks after the claim date. Staff will contact you when the book is located or the search period has elapsed to notify you of the results.
How to Pay Fines
- You may pay your fine with cash or check at any MIT Library service desk. Checks should be made payable to MIT Libraries.
- You may pay with TechCash at the Hayden Library service desk.
- Fines are transferred to the Bursar or Accounts Receivable office approximately 1 month prior to the end of the semester. Once fines are transferred, students may pay through MITPAY. Faculty, Staff and outside users will receive a bill from Accounts Receivable (AR) with instructions on where to send payment. All fines transferred to AR incur an additional $5 fee.
Fine Comment Form
Would you like to share your thoughts on the Libraries' fine policies? Please TellUs!. Your feedback will be used to assess our services. If you want to contest a specific fine, please use the fine appeal.
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