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UNB Libraries Borrowing Policy

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UNB Libraries' borrowing policy governs the borrowing of materials from the Harriet Irving Library, the IUC Library, the Head Hall Library, and the Hans W. Klohn Commons Library. This policy attempts to balance three goals: basic fairness to all borrowers, facilitation of research, and efficient use of library resources.

All library users are responsible for knowing and following the rules stated in this borrowing policy. Users fined or suspended under these rules may not use ignorance of the rules as the basis for an appeal.

Borrower Cards

Users must present a valid UNB/STU UCard to borrow materials. UCards are non-transferable. A lost or stolen card must be deactivated immediately to prevent misuse.

Other borrower cards are available for alumni, community members, and members of CURBA/CAAL institutions. These cards may have conditions in addition to the UNB Libraries' borrowing policy. It is the user's responsibility to know and follow these rules. Users fined or suspended under these rules may not use ignorance of the rules as the basis for an appeal.

Loan Periods

General Loan Privileges - Print Books

Borrower Type Loan Period Max # of Items Renewals
Undergraduate Students 3 weeks 100 5
Graduate Students / Faculty / Staff 1 term 100 2
CURBA / Alumni 3 weeks 10 5
Community 3 weeks 5 5

Document delivery loans and any item currently recalled may not be renewed.

Loan Privileges for Other Materials

Item type Loan Period Maximum # of Items Renewals
Periodical 1 week Included in book allowance 0
Video/DVD 1 week Included in book allowance 1
Popular Reading Collection 3 weeks Included in book allowance 2

Course Reserves

Material in high demand may be placed on course reserve by instructors for periods of 2 hours, 1 day, 2 days or 3 days. Course Reserve items may be restricted to in-library use only.

Course Reserve material must be returned to the library from which it was borrowed.

Laptop Loans

Laptops may be borrowed for up to 1 week, with no renewals. Due to high demand, when a laptop has been returned users must wait 1 day before borrowing another laptop.

Returning Materials

Borrowers are responsible for returning materials on time and in good condition. Any damage, including the use of highlighters, may cause an item to be declared lost and corresponding charges will apply.

Library books may be returned at any UNB Libraries location at the service desks or book drops. Laptops and other equipment must be returned to a service desk.

The following materials must be returned to the library from which they were borrowed:

  1. Reserve items
  2. Maps
  3. Computer technology and equipment

Recalls

Once a user has had an item for 2 weeks or longer, it can be recalled for use by another borrower or course reserve. A notice will be sent to a borrower’s UNB/STU email (or, in the case of an alumni, community, or CURBA/CAAL borrower, their email on file). Recalled material is due 4 days after a notice is sent. Fines for recalled items are higher than regular late charges.

Recalls may be issued at any time, including holidays. Borrowers are advised to return all material prior to leaving campus for an extended period. Failure to do so does not exempt a borrower from fines or suspension if an item is recalled.

Overdue Fines and Notices

UNB Libraries will send reminder notices as a courtesy and will alert borrowers when an item has been recalled. It is a user’s responsibility to read library notices, which will be sent to the university email address on file (or, in the case of an alumni, community, or CURBA/CAAL borrower, their email on file). Failure to receive an overdue notice does not exempt a user from fines or suspension.

Failure to return library materials on time will generally result in overdue fines. Once an account balance of $25 or more in fines is reached, fines must be paid in full.

Fines and Fees

Item Type Per Item Late Fees Maximum Late Fees Lost Fees
Books, periodicals, DVDs/videos and miscellaneous items lent daily/weekly $1/day $28 $200 or the cost to replace, plus accumulated late fines
Recalled items $5/day $100 $200 or the cost to replace, plus accumulated late fines
Course reserves $5/hour or any portion thereof $100 $200 or the cost to replace, plus accumulated late fines
Short-term loans (not course reserves) $1/hour or any portion thereof $50 - $200 $200 or the cost to replace, plus accumulated late fines
Document Delivery items $1/day $28 Charges may also be applied by the lending library

Accounting and Billing

A borrower with overdue library material will be suspended from further borrowing until overdue material is returned. If charges reach $100, a borrower’s account will be referred to Financial Services (UNB or STU).

Lost Items

If a user has not returned an item by the time the maximum late fees have been incurred for that item, then the item will be declared lost and the user will be billed a lost fee of $200 or the cost to replace the item, plus the accumulated late fines. The fee may be considerably higher, depending on the value of the lost item. In some instances, a replacement item may be substituted, with prior approval.

We welcome the return of lost items to the library collection. A borrower who has paid a bill with Financial Services may contact the Harriet Irving Library or the Hans W. Klohn Commons Library to request a refund of replacement fees.

University Sanctions

Once UNB Libraries has transferred a user’s unpaid bill to Financial Services, the University can withhold diplomas, grades, and transcripts and block IT privileges until all library charges are paid.

Appeals

Issues pertaining to fines and/or suspensions can generally be resolved directly by contacting staff at the Harriet Irving Library or the Hans W. Klohn Commons Library.

For unresolved issues, the borrower may appeal, in writing, to the Senate Library Committee. Appeals should be submitted within one week of the case in question to: Dean of Libraries, UNB Libraries. The decision of the Committee is final and not subject to further appeal.

Privacy Statement

UNB Libraries is committed to protecting the personal information of all library users. The information held in library records is accessible only to authorized UNB staff. This information is collected under the authority provided for in the New Brunswick Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. For more information regarding the protection of personal information at UNB please consult the University Secretariat, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3 (506) 453-4613. For more information see: lib.unb.ca/privacy.

Contact Us Info:

Harriet Irving Library
506-453-4756   circhi@unb.ca
Hans W. Klohn Commons Library
506-648-5710   hwkcommons@unb.ca

Updated February 2024