Lost or Damaged Item Policy

Borrowers are responsible for library items checked out to their accounts, including items that have been lost, stolen, or damaged.  Patrons will be notified of overdue, damaged, or lost items via email to the email address on file.  Failure to receive or read a notice does not free the borrower of responsibilities. Replacements of library materials purchased by the borrower are not accepted. Instead, a flat fee of $50 will be charged for each lost item. This fee goes towards the cost of the item and processing.  Technology lost/replacement charges follow a separate fee structure.  

Lost item fees are assessed when the library or borrower declares an item lost. Books and media are declared lost after 30 days overdue and equipment and course reserves are declared lost after 2 days overdue.  

The library reserves the right to assess and declare the condition of returned items. Damage includes, but is not necessarily limited to, items that are wet, moldy, stained, cracked, broken, or mutilated. This includes materials with missing pages, markings, highlighting, handwriting, or any other damage that affects the continued use of the item. Items that have been damaged (pages torn or missing, liquid spilled) will be assessed a flat fee of $25 which goes towards the cost of conservation.  Items that are considered damaged beyond repair will be treated as lost and the $50 flat fee will be applied.  

Payment for lost items can be made at the service desk at the Main Library or through the library's online payment system.  Failure to pay the lost or damaged item fee may result in a hold being placed on the patron's library account, which can affect borrowing privileges, access to other library services, and student registration.  

Patrons who wish to appeal the lost or damaged item fee may complete a "Fine Appeal Form”.  This form will be reviewed by the Director of User Services.  The Director of User Services will review the appeal and notify the patron of the decision within 7 days. If the appeal is approved, the fee may be reduced or waived.  If the appeal is denied, the patron must pay the full fee to resolve the account hold.