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Library Fines Policy: Home

Library Fines and Lost Loans

Fines are charged for the late return of any overdue items which are reserved by another borrower and borrowing rights will be suspended when charges exceed £15. All items are subject to reservation by another borrower. Our fine rates are:

Fines incurred from overdue items will normally only be waived in line with the circumstances described in our library fines exceptions policy, provided in the link below. If you feel your circumstances match those within the policy, then please ask at Kimberlin Library or contact us to discuss waiving fines.

There are various ways to pay a fine:

  • You can pay online using My Account from the Library Catalogue.

  • You can also pay in person at Kimberlin Library during our desk staffed opening hours

 

Lost Loans

If you misplace or lose an item you will be asked to pay for it at the current replacement cost. Please speak to the library supervisor on duty when you’re next in the library, or call 0116 257 7042, and our staff can arrange for a bill to be prepared for you.

Library Fines Exceptions Policy

Fines incurred from overdue items will normally only be waived in line with the circumstances described below. All items are subject to recall when reserved by another borrower, and due dates will automatically be amended to reflect this.

If you feel your circumstances match those within the policy, then please ask at Kimberlin Library or contact us to discuss waiving fines.

Circumstances Normally Accepted

Medical exemption Notes/evidence required: A medical certificate or confirmation from your department of your medical absence or an email from your faculty disability co-ordinator. All evidence must confirm your dates of absence. Fines will only be waived for those periods covered by the evidence.
Bereavement or exceptional circumstances or family issues Notes/evidence required: Evidence that you have been away from campus e.g. email from tutor. All evidence must confirm your dates of absence. Fines will only be waived for those periods covered by the evidence.
Serious and unforeseeable transport or weather related difficulties Notes/evidence required: All items should be renewed online using the Library Catalogue. Fines will only be waived for books recalled due to a reservation by another borrower where DMU has been closed due to the weather. Transport difficulties will not result in fines being waived.
First instance of laptop loan incorrectly returned to laptop safe resulting in overdue charge Notes/evidence required: Staff member will check your borrower record, and waive the fine if no prior instance of incorrectly returning laptop has occurred. Further instructions on how to successfully return a laptop will be provided.

Circumstances Not Normally Accepted

Borrower didn’t realise/forgot to check emails/didn’t check library account Notes: Borrowers are encouraged at all times to check emails and library account regularly.
Borrower is away from campus at a conference, on placement, or on business related to their work/studies Notes: Borrowers are expected to make arrangements to return items prior to going away on any planned absences from University.
Borrower lives at a distance Notes: Borrowers living at a distance can return books by post or courier to:
Kimberlin Library
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester
LE1 9BH
International students going home during vacations Notes: Borrowers are expected to prepare beforehand and we advise that De Montfort University items should not be taken out of the UK. Furthermore all items are subject to recall when reserved by another borrower throughout the year and will accrue fines if not returned.
Borrower returned to family home during vacation Notes: We issue items normally throughout the whole calendar year because of the number of students who live locally, and due to the university offering postgraduate programmes and other programmes that don’t follow the undergraduate teaching calendar. All items are therefore subject to recall when reserved by another borrower throughout the year and will accrue fines if not returned.
Borrower has been on holiday Notes: Borrowers are expected to make arrangements to return items prior to going away on holiday.
Temporary loss of access to email/internet (including work place restrictions on access to Google Mail) Notes: Borrowers are expected to make alternative arrangements to access email.
Items stolen or damaged while at home Notes: Borrowers are advised to claim compensation for the charges incurred via their insurance policy and to notify the library at the time of the theft.
Email reminders not received Notes: The email reminders are a courtesy and non-receipt of them will not result in fines being waived as you can view item due dates through My Account on the Library Catalogue and on the receipt given on loaned items.
Charges accrued when ID card or item on loan has been loaned to a friend Notes: Borrowers should not loan their ID card or library items to others and are liable for all fines and/or replacement charges incurred if they do so.
Borrower failed to re-attach the charging cable on laptop or leaving locker door open and a prior instance has occurred Notes: There are labels on the laptops and units reminding borrowers that they must re-attach the charging cable and close the doors in order to discharge the laptop from their account. As a goodwill gesture the first occasion this occurs will result in a fine being waived. Any future occasions will generate a fine.