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Fines

Fines encourage you to return or renew your loans on time so that library items, particularly those in high demand, can be shared among all library members.

Fines apply to all library borrowers.

Fine rates How to avoid fines When to pay How to pay

Enquire about a fine Appeal against a fine Damaged item charges Lost item charges

 

Fine rates

The following fines apply to each item not returned or renewed by the due date:

Research and general collection items	$1.00 per day (up to a maximum of $30.00)
RECALLED Research and general collection items	$2.00 per day
Short Loan Collection items	$1.00 per day (up to a maximum of $30.00)
Reserve Collection items	$2.50 per hour, or part thereof (up to a maximum of $30.00)
Lost item (if 32 days overdue)	$160.00 minimum (Replacement charges + overdue fine)

Recalled and Short Loan Collection items cannot be renewed.

 

How to avoid fines

• Read your library notices
• Return items on time
• Return items before going on leave or vacation
• Renew items on or before the due date via MyLibrary
• Contact the library to renew overdue items
• Check your loans regularly via MyLibrary

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When to pay fines

Fines cannot be paid until your fine total reaches $25.00.

Fine totals of less than $25.00:

• cannot be paid
• will not affect your borrowing
• will be waived at the end of the year (towards the end of December)

Fine totals of $25.00 or more:

• will block your card
• will stop you borrowing, renewing and requesting items
• will not be waived at the end of the year and will be carried through to the following year

Your card block will be removed and your borrowing re-instated once you reduce your fine total to less than $25.00. Payments of less than $10.00 are not accepted.

A card block also applies if a Lost item charge is added to your fine total.

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How to pay fines

• Pay your fines online by credit card or UniKey account using the Fine Payments web page, or via MyLibrary
• Payments of less than $10.00 are not accepted
• Payments in person are only accepted at some libraries. See the Fine Payments web page for more information.

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Appeals against library fines

If you believe a fine is incorrect or unfair, you can appeal for the fine to be reduced or waived. Some common reasons for appeal include:

• illness
• serious personal circumstances
• financial hardship
• you believe the library has made an error

Failure to receive or read library notices, or failure to check MyLibrary, are not considered valid reasons for a fine appeal.

How to appeal

1. Fill in the Fine Appeal Form at a library loans desk or email the Library
2. If you need to supply evidence (eg. a medical certificate), or we need to clarify any details, we will contact you
3. We aim to decide the outcome of your appeal, or provide you with a progress report, within 2 working days

If you are not satisfied with the way the library has handled your appeal and you wish to ask the University Librarian to review your appeal, please write a letter to the:

	University Librarian
	University of Sydney Library
	Fisher Library F03
	University of Sydney NSW 2006

You should provide your full name, library membership number and contact details and describe in full the grounds for your appeal.

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Damaged item charges

If an item you borrow is returned damaged, you may be charged for its repair. Please report damaged items to the attention of library staff when you return them so they can be assessed.
If an item, or part of an item, is damaged beyond repair you may be charged a minimum replacement charge of $160.00.

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Lost item charges

A lost item charge is used to replace the item or buy a similar title if it is out of print.

Lost item charges are imposed when:

• you inform us that you have lost an item
• you have an item overdue for 32 days

The minimum lost item charge is $160.00 and includes:

• $30.00 processing and administration charge
• $30.00 maximum overdue fines

This charge may be higher, or an extra charge may be added later, depending on the item's value.

Returning the item

If the item is returned within 12 months, the charge will automatically be reduced to $60.00. This consists of the processing and administration charge and overdue fines.

If you have already paid the lost item charge, you will need to ask the Library for a partial refund.

No refund or reduction will be given if a replacement has been ordered or if an item is returned after 12 months.

Replacing the item

If you choose to replace an item, $30.00 is charged for processing and administration plus any overdue fines that may apply.

A replacement item must be the same (or newer) edition and be in excellent condition.

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