Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries No Longer Charges Overdue Fines on Books From Its “General Collection”

From the VCU Library News Release:

VCU Libraries no longer charges overdue fines on books from its “general collection.” This change and increases in fines for other items goes into effect July 15.
Patrons holding long-overdue books, including those so late to have been recorded as “lost”, are encouraged to return those books to the libraries. Processing fees will apply but they are much lower than replacement book charges.
Books in the “general collection” are noted as such in the library search records. These are on shelves in library buildings or in offsite storage. Effected items also include oversized books, musical scores, young adult and juvenile literature and books in the Art Browsery.
Fine-free items do not include:

• Books on course reserve
• English Language Program books
• Study skills books
• Government documents
• Journals or bound journals
• VCU Common Book
• Cabell First Novelist books
• DVDs, CDs or other audio/visual materials
• Board games or video games
• Interlibrary loan books
• Reference books
• Items from Special Collections and Archives.

Although the 25-cent per day late fine will no longer be charged, books from the general collection that are not returned within 28 days of the due date will be declared “lost. At that time, users will be charged for a replacement fee and a hold will be placed on their university account. When the lost book is returned, the fee will be removed, borrowing rights restored and university holds cleared. The patron will have to pay a $10 lost item processing fee.

Read the Complete Announcement (Including Info on Increases in Fines For Some Items)

Filed under: Archives and Special Collections, Libraries, News, Patrons and Users