Length of Loan and Overdue Fine Information

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 postal problems. The first overdue notice is mailed the day after items are due. When an item is 45 days overdue, a final notice is sent and the user's circulation privileges suspended until the situation is resolved. Once an overdue book is checked in, a bill that includes the total amount of the fine is generated and mailed within one workday (Monday-Friday).

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 If the library has "withdrawn" the item, some portion of the replacement fee plus the $25.00 processing fee will be retained.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.

Back to Top

Address Updating:

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

Paying Fines:

Fines may be paid at the Circulation 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:

 

G-2 Circulation
Hillman Library
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh PA 15260

 

Fines/Fees and Borrowing Limits
Faculty Staff Graduate
Student		 Undergraduate
Student		 Special
Card 2
Maximum Number
of Books 		No Limit No Limit No Limit 100 10 (3) 3
General Loan Period One Term4 28 days

One

Term 4

 28 days 14 days
Renewals 5 Unlimited Three Unlimited Three One
Fines

$.25 day/bk
$100/item		 $.25 day/bk
$100/item		 $.25 day/bk
$100/item		 $.25 day/bk
$100/item		 $.25 day/bk
$100/item
Reserve Materials
*the fine is $1.80 hour/item

 $1.80
$100/item		 $1.80
$100/item		 $1.80
$100/item		 $1.80
$100/item		 $1.80
$100/item
Recalled Materials
 $1.00 day/bk
$100/item		 $1.00 day/bk
$100/item		 $1.00 day/bk
$100/item		 $1.00 day/bk
$100/item		 $1.00 day/bk
$100/item
Unreturned
Requested Book
Maximum 		$1.00 day/bk
$100/item		 $1.00 day/bk
$100/item		 $1.00 day/bk
$100/item		 $1.00 day/bk
$100/item		 $1.00 day/bk
$100/item
Borrowing
Suspended 		$25 or 10
Overdue Items 		$25 or 10
Overdue Items 		$25 or 10
Overdue Items 		$25 or 10
Overdue Items 		$15 or 3
Overdue Items
Lost Material
Replacement Cost 6 		Per Books in Print Per Books in Print Per Books in Print Per Books in Print Per Books in Print
Processing Fee $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00

 

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.
Please consult circulation desk staff for out of print material.
Back to Top