Fines and fees

• VCU Libraries does not charge daily overdue fines on items from our general collections, DVDs, CDs, or other media in storage.
• VCU Libraries charges overdue fines for short term loan items, such as Course Reserves, calculators, and equipment from Health Sciences Library and The Workshop, etc. These items are in high demand and must be returned promptly.
• Items not returned may be declared lost if they are very overdue, at which time the user will be charged a lost item fee. Lost item fees vary according to the type and location of that item (see Lost VCU Libraries Items below for more details). If the lost item is returned, the full lost item fee will be waived.
• VCU Libraries charges damage fees for items damaged while on loan to a borrower. If the item cannot be repaired, the borrower will be charged the standard lost item fee. If the item can be repaired a damage fee of $20 will be charged.
• Students, staff, and faculty who have an outstanding library balance of more than $25 are not able to borrow or renew materials from our collection, with the exception of course reserve items. Community borrowers who have an outstanding library balance of more than $5 are not able to borrow or renew materials from our collection.
• Payments for lost or damaged item fees are accepted online only. Overdue fines can be paid online or by utilizing the Food for Fines option (see details below).
• Payments will be posted to your library account and library holds on your university account will be cleared by the close of the following business day. Current VCU students, staff and faculty can check their outstanding balance by logging into their library account. All other users can check their outstanding balance by calling 804-828-1111 during our open hours.

Fine type	Daily/hourly fine	Lost Item Fee
Books from VCU Libraries general collections	None	$80
Books from Health Sciences Library general collections	None	$140
DVD, CD, and other audio / video items	None	$80
Course reserve items and calculators	$5 per hour	$80
Equipment (surge protectors, adapters,  etc.)	$1 per hour	Based on actual cost
Creative Technology equipment (The Workshop, Health Sciences Library)	$10 per day	Based on actual cost

* VCU Libraries reserves the right to charge a higher lost item fee should circumstances warrant it.

Lost VCU Libraries items

• Books from VCU Libraries general collections, DVDs/CDs and other audio/video items that are not returned within 56 days after the due date will automatically be declared lost. Lost item fees vary as noted on the chart above.
• Short term loans such as course reserve items, and equipment like calculators and surge protectors not returned within 14 days will automatically be declared lost. Lost item fees vary as noted on the chart above.
• Creative Technology equipment not returned within 14 days after the due date will automatically be declared lost. There is no standard lost item fee for equipment; fees for lost equipment are based on the actual cost of the item.
• If items loaned to you have been declared lost, a financial hold will be placed on your university account and your borrowing privileges will be suspended. Users will not be able to register for courses or receive diplomas until all lost items are either returned or paid for. Lost item bills not resolved within 90 days may be sent to VCU Collections for processing.
• Returning a lost item will remove the lost item fee from your library account. Students will be able to register for classes and/or receive diplomas once all lost items have been returned or their lost item fees are paid.
• If you pay the lost item fee for a VCU owned item and then find and return the item in good condition within 6 months from the date of payment, VCU Libraries will issue a full refund.
• Returning a lost item will not automatically remove the item’s overdue fines. However, overdue fines do not prevent students from registering for classes or receiving diplomas.

Lost interlibrary loan items

• Interlibrary loan items not returned within 30 days of their due date or by the recall due date are automatically declared lost. The minimum lost fee for interlibrary loan items is $110.
• If the lost ILL item is returned, the full lost item fee may be waived from your library account ONLY IF the item’s lending library is willing to waive the charge for their item. If you return a lost ILL item after you have already paid the lost item fee, we can not guarantee that a refund will be issued upon returning the item. Refunds in this case depend on the policies of the lending library.
• For more information on your lost ILL item or charges, please email our Interlibrary Loan team at libill@vcu.edu.

Appeal a Library Fee

• If you would like to appeal your responsibility for a library fee or loaned item on your account, you can submit an inquiry form or respond to any emailed VCU Libraries notification. To be considered, inquiries should be submitted no later than 28 days after an item’s ‘Lost Item Bill from VCU Libraries’ is sent to your email address on record. A library staff member will then work with you via email to complete the initial investigation and search process.
• The investigation and search process usually takes four weeks. If the issue is not resolved after this process is complete, your request for an appeal may then be sent to the VCU Libraries Resource Access Policies Committee for a final decision. The decision to either approve or deny your request for appeal may take up to two months.
• While your investigation/appeal is in process, fees for library items will remain on your library account but will NOT restrict your ability to register for classes or receive diplomas from VCU. If a library item is under active investigation or appeal, any related financial holds on your university accounts will be temporarily lifted until the matter is resolved.
• Inquiries related to overdue fines are managed at the discretion of the circulating department, and are only eligible for appeal on a case by case basis.
• You are responsible for monitoring any emails sent to you by VCU Libraries about materials you have borrowed. You are also responsible for submitting any inquiries in a timely manner so that staff can address questions effectively.
• The following issues are not considered a valid basis for appeal:
  • Being unfamiliar with VCU Libraries’ borrowing guidelines.
  • Not reading or responding to library notices sent to your email address on record.

Food for Fines

VCU Libraries is supporting the Ram Pantry@VCU, by offering an alternative for anyone who owes overdue fines for library items.

For each non-perishable food or hygiene item a person donates, VCU Libraries will forgive $5 in overdue fines, up to $60 maximum per semester. The food drive semesters are as follows: 

• Spring: January 1 - April 30 
• Summer: May 1 - August 31 
• Fall: September 1 - December 31

Not sure what to donate? Here’s a suggestion list. Any non-perishable food or hygiene products are acceptable. No open containers or foods past the expiration date will be accepted. If you have any questions, please call us at 804-828-1111 during our open hours. 

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For more information about paying your lost item fee, contact VCU Libraries staff at Cabell Library (804 828-1111) or Health Sciences Library (804 828-0636).