The goal of the library in initiating policies in regard to recalls, fines, billing, and
blocking of library patrons is to ensure that library materials are available to all patrons in a
timely and fair manner, and to preserve the collection. We hope to avoid having to bill or fine our
patrons by encouraging all patrons to carefully monitor their
library account.
Recall
If all available copies of a book are being circulated, both at UIUC and other
I-Share Schools, library staff will initiate the recall of a library book for use by another
patron. If you are the patron who has checked out the book, you will receive a recall notice by
e-mail or in the mail informing you that the loan period for the item has been shortened and that
the material must be returned by a certain date - usually 15 days from the date of recall.
FAILURE TO RESPOND TO A RECALL NOTICE WILL RESULT IN A $5.00 a day FINE to a maximum of
$25. ALL CATEGORIES OF PATRON, INCLUDING FACULTY AND STAFF ARE FINED. If a patron still
has not returned a book by the fifteenth day following the recall due date, their borrowing
privileges will be blocked until the recalled item is returned. For these reasons, we urge patrons
to return all library materials prior to leaving for extended periods of time greater than 2 weeks.
Charges for Overdue & Lost Items
Routinely the library sends out two overdue notices to
patrons when a book is overdue before presuming the book is lost. Until that point no fines are
accumulated for any classes of borrowers. Forty days after the due date the patron is billed the
average replacement cost of the book (in Mathematics $125 for monographs and $300 for bound
periodicals). This entire replacement cost is refunded if the book is subsequently returned.
However, once billed certain borrower classifications are assessed a late return fee which is not
refundable. The following classifications are assessed this $10.00 nonrefundable fee: graduate
students, undergraduate students, type PL, LL, and Alumni courtesy card borrowers.
Patrons, including graduate students, are also responsible for fines on reserve books. These
fines are $2.00 the first hour past due, and $2.00 each additional hour past due while the library
remains open, to a maximum of $50 (more in special cases).
The Mathematics Library staff does not collect fines, late return fees, or
lost book charges. You should pay as directed on the invoice sent by the University Business
Office. The Mathematics Library staff will help you with problems concerning fines, lost book
billings, etc. Failure to pay Library bills will result in encumbrances and may affect ability to
register for classes.
Please remember to return all books and journals to the Library before leaving the campus
for any extended period including summers and sabbatical leaves.
Borrowing Books from Other Institutions
University of Illinois faculty, students, and staff
may borrow books from other institutions through interlibrary loan. (These privileges are normally
not accorded guest circulation permit users.) Books borrowed through interlibrary loan are subject
to the lending and fining policies of the institution from which they were borrowed. Loan periods
and billing schedules may be different than those used on this campus. Policies are administered by
the lending institution.
Failure to pay interlibrary loan fines may result in the suspension of BOTH local and
interlibrary borrowing privileges.
Loss of Borrowing Privileges
Patrons may lose their right to borrow books in the following
instances:
- Borrowing privileges will be blocked due to non-return of a
recalled item.
- Borrowing privileges will be blocked if a patron has excessive fines and billings or "assumed
lost" records on his or her account.
- A block is initiated by another CARLI library because of an unpaid bill or other account
problem.
In most instances privileges will be reinstated when the patron resolves his outstanding
account problems. If the block has been initiated by another CARLI library, the patron will need to
resolve the issue with that institution.
A detailed description of library circulation policies is available at
Central Circulation and Bookstacks
Department.
