Hesburgh Libraries

Overdue Notices

For material that circulates more than 7 days, a courtesy reminder is sent 2 days before an item becomes due. Once a due date has passed, no more than 2 overdue notices are sent to the patron. If a patron claims not to have received an overdue or recall notice, the patron is responsible for making sure the University has their correct contact information, and their email client accepts all email from domain nd.edu. Failure to receive notification does not absolve patrons of their responsibility of returning library material on time. Hesburgh Libraries uses Notre Dame-assigned email addresses for all University business. Please contact the Office of Information Technology for instructions on how to forward email to another preferred account.

Overdue Fines

The fine for recalled material 14+ days overdue is $25 per item. Reserve item fines are $3 per day and will not exceed the cost of item replacement. There are no grace periods for Reserve or recalled items. When replacement and processing costs are assessed for lost items, we identify the current replacement value plus a $25 processing fee. If the current replacement value cannot be found, the replacement fee is $75.

Recalled Items

1. Borrowing privileges are suspended when material becomes overdue.
2. $25 (nonrefundable) when 14 days overdue and borrowing privileges suspended until paid
3. $25 (nonrefundable) when 30 days overdue plus replacement and processing costs.

Reserve Items

1. $3 a day when overdue (not to exceed the cost of a new copy)
2. When 30 days overdue, charged replacement and processing costs. Replacement fees and overdue fines for Course Reserves items are nonrefundable.

Interlibrary Loan Items

1. Interlibrary Loan borrowing privileges are suspended when the material becomes 14 days overdue.
2. When 30 days overdue, charged replacement cost and a $25.00 (non-refundable) overdue fee. Borrowing privileges suspended until the loan is returned or replacement cost and fine are paid.
3. Failure to return items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan services could result in a loss of privileges for all Hesburgh Libraries users, as when we borrow material through Interlibrary Loan, we do so in the name of the University, not in an indivdiual user's name. Delinquent returns damage our reputation in the university community and put the ability to borrow materials at risk for all Hesburgh Libraries users.

Books

1. When 30 days overdue replacement and processing costs apply.

Journals

1. When 14 days overdue replacement and processing costs apply. Charges for replacement depend on the subject area (min. cost $999).

Music and Media

1. When seven days overdue replacement and processing costs apply.

Equipment

1. Headphones, scanners, calculators replacement and processing costs apply when 30 days overdue
2. Laptops, projectors, and media players: $10 per hour

Lost Books

Once a book's status has been changed to "LOST," the patron is charged the current replacement value IN ADDITION TO the overdue fines and processing fees. As an alternative, patrons may purchase a new replacement copy of the exact same item (same ISBN and edition) from the vendor of their choice. The book will be reviewed in a timely manner by the relevant subject librarian to determine whether it will be accepted. If it is accepted, the replacement and processing fee will be waived. If it is not, the borrower will be held liable for the replacement fee and will be notified of that decision.

Before purchasing a replacement copy, please contact the Hesburgh Libraries for item information.

If a patron finds and returns in good condition a book that has been billed and paid for, the lost book charge will be removed from the patron's record and a credit will be sent to the billing office for the replacement charge (when applicable). The patron is still responsible for any overdue fines. Refunds or credits will be issued for charges up to one year after the patron either graduates or leaves the University.

Billing

To avoid overdue notices, fines, and bills please return or renew your materials before the due date and return recalled items by the recall due date.

Typically fees accrued by students are transferred to the Office of Student Accounts on Wednesday mornings (or within a few days) and should be paid to Student Accounts in the manner accepted by that office.

Faculty, staff, former students and special borrowers can make payments to the Hesburgh Libraries in the following ways:

1. Paypal payments can be submitted to the Hesburgh Libraries via the following link: PayPal Payments. Please include information about which item/items you are paying for in the note field.
2. In person payment via cash, check, FOAPAL, or money order at the first floor service desk of Hesburgh Libraries. Please note, we can only accept credit card payments through our PayPal link.
3. Personal checks should be made payable to the Hesburgh Libraries of Notre Dame and sent (along with a copy of the bill) to: Circulation Services / Billing, 150 Hesburgh Library, Notre Dame, IN 46556
4. ACH or Wire Transfer - Please contact Billing services for specific instructions for wire or ACH transfers. Call (574) 631-6318 or contact us via email.

If a lost item is returned, the replacement fee is usually waived. The overdue fee will not be refunded. If the item has been damaged, has already been replaced by the library, or if the item was billed more than two years ago, the replacement amount will only be partially refunded or not at all.

Regardless of user status, unresolved financial accounts at the Hesburgh Libraries, including fines for non-returned recalls, may result in temporary loss of borrowing privileges until items are returned or replacement charges and/or fines are paid. Guests may have their privileges permanently revoked if accounts are left unresolved. Delinquent accounts of former faculty, and staff of the University, as well as guest borrowers, will be forwarded to the General Counsel for resolution. For former University students, library fees left unpaid may be subject to diploma, registration, and transcript holds.

If you have questions about paying your fines, please contact us.

Appeals Process

To appeal a library fine, please contact User Services with a statement why fine/fees should be reviewed. Please note, in order to be considered, all appeals must be filed within 30 days of the fine being billed to your account. You will be contacted by email of the appeal decision within 5 business days.

Reasons not considered as a basis for waiving fines include:

1. Lack of understanding of Hesburgh Libraries policies
2. Unwillingness to take responsibility for loaned materials
3. Non-receipt, late receipt, or inattention of notices
4. Vacations, conferences, sabbaticals, etc. Please make arrangements for someone to return materials on your behalf in these instances.
5. Failure to report non-receipt of library materials via campus delivery

You may report that you believe you returned an item that library records show as still checked out to your account. The Libraries will then begin a comprehensive search for the item. If it is found, no charges are due. If the item is not found after two months of searching, you will be billed the overdue fine and the replacement cost, plus a processing fee.