Fines

About fines

For regularly circulating items if you receive an email notice concerning an item you have borrowed that cannot be renewed, you have seven days to return the item, after which overdue fines will apply.

Equipment, Course Reserve and Technology Sandbox items are non-renewable and no grace period is provided after the due time/date.

A system of overdue fines, replacement charges and other sanctions is in place to encourage the timely return of library material to ensure fair access to library resources.

You can pay your fines online from your Library Account.

Back to top

Fines by item type

Item type Fine
All regularly circulating collections of all BCI libraries $0.50 per day / $5 per day for recalls*
1-day course reserve loans $2 per day
3-hour course reserve loans (including anatomical models) $2 per hour
Equipment (excluding laptops, tablets and Technology Sandbox items) $2 per day
Laptops $10 per day
Tablets $10 per day
Technology Sandbox items $10 per day

*Recall fines

In exceptional circumstances (for example, when an item is needed for course reserves), the Library may recall a borrowed item. If this happens, you will receive a recall notice. You will have 7 days to return the item before fines start accruing on your account. The fine for a recalled item from the regularly circulating collection is $5/day (increased from $0.50/day).

Back to top

Library procedures for overdue or lost items

Fine notices

You will receive library notices via email or you can check your Library Account at any time.

Failure to receive an email reminder of the due date does not waive the Library's right to apply fines.

Bill notices sent when maximum fine is reached

Once an overdue item accumulates the maximum fine, the item is declared lost and a bill notice is e-mailed to the borrower.

Suspension of services

Suspension of services includes the suspension of borrowing, renewing and hold request privileges. These will be suspended when:

  • An item becomes overdue by 14 days. For normally circulating items this is 14 days after an item fails to renew and 7 days after the first overdue message; for equipment, course reserve material, and Technology Sandbox items this is 14 days following the due date or time
  • The total unpaid fines are in excess of $50

Lost items

For regularly circulating material, an item is considered lost when it is not returned within 47 days following the item's due date, or when reported lost by the borrower.

Course reserve items are considered lost when not returned within 7 days following the item’s due date and equipment (ex: laptops, chargers, headphones, calculator, etc.) are considered lost when not returned within 14 days following the equipment’s due date.

Users will be required to pay the following charges for each item declared lost:

  • The outstanding fine to a maximum of $50, non-refundable
  • The replacement cost of the lost item
  • A non-refundable processing fee of $30

Replacement copies purchased by users will not be accepted. With the exception of equipment and course reserve material, the replacement costs may be waived or refunded if the item is returned within three months of billing.

Back to top

How to pay fines

Charges appearing in your Library account can be paid online, via your Library Account by credit card (Visa or MasterCard).

Back to top
Back to top arrow up, go to top of page