Length of Loans & Fines

NOTE: Some ULS libraries may have collections with more restrictive policies.

1. Verification and Department Chairperson approval required.
2. Special Library Card (See Policy 10-03-03: Special Library Cards and Access o University Libraries). This policy to be reviewed and/or revised annually.
3. Undergraduate students from some schools are limited to only three (3) books at any given time. Please consult the Reciprocal Borrower's Agreement for other restrictions and information.
4. Term loan with common due date based on current appointment and/or enrollment .
5. NO renewals on items recalled for another patron.
6. Please consult circulation desk staff for out of print material.

Paying Fines

Fines may be paid at the Hillman Library Service Desk whenever full time staff are on duty. Make checks payable to University of Pittsburgh. Fine payments may also be sent directly to the following address:

Purpose of Overdue Fines

The purpose of fines is to encourage the prompt return of borrowed materials so that they will be available for use by others. Fines for overdue items are charged to all categories of borrowers, including faculty, staff, students, community, and courtesy users. Grace Period: The library offers a seven-day grace period for normal circulating items. If a regular circulation item is due September 1, a library user may return it as late as September 7 without owing a fine. However, on September 8, the user would owe $.25 per day overdue fine retroactive to September 1. The fine would be $2.00. Grace periods do not apply to journals, recalled items, reserve, reference, or other material in specific subcollections.

Notices

Overdue notices sent by the University Libraries are courtesy reminder notices only. The University Libraries are not responsible for delayed delivery of notices due to inaccurate addresses or other delivery problems. The first overdue notice is sent the day after items are due. When an item is 45 days overdue, a final notice is sent and the user's borrowing privileges suspended until the situation is resolved. Once overdue material is returned, a bill that includes the total amount of the fine is generated and sent within one business day.

Lost Item Replacement Charges

The libraries charge a $100.00 replacement fee for books that are 45 days overdue and are considered "Lost", plus a non-refundable $25.00 processing fee for each book. "Lost" books cannot be renewed and must be returned to the library for your account to be credited. If the book is returned after billing and before the library has begun the reorder process to replace it, your account will be adjusted and the replacement and processing fees will be removed. If the library has "withdrawn" the item, some portion of the replacement fee plus the $25.00 processing fee will be retained. Library users who wish to provide a replacement copy for lost or damaged library materials may do so, however the replacement copy is subject to approval of the ULS bibliographer. In addition, the $25.00 lost item process fee will be assessed. Students with outstanding unpaid charges of $35.00 or higher will be referred to the Student Financial Services Office for collection after one month.  

Updating Your Address

To update your address see the Office of the University Registrar Change of Address Form