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  4. Fines and fees

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 can be made online, in person via credit/debit card and RamBucks or by cash or check (Cabell Library only).
  • 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, access grades, receive a diploma or request a transcript 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, however, any applicable overdue fines will remain. Students will be able to register for classes and/or request transcripts once all lost items have been returned or paid for.
  • 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.

Lost interlibrary loan items

Interlibrary loan items not returned within 14 days after the 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 will be waived from your library account. If you have already paid the lost item fee, we can not guarantee that a refund will be issued upon returning the item due to the policies of the lending library.

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 food item a person donates, VCU Libraries will forgive $5 in overdue fines, up to $60 maximum per semester. Lost item fees and damaged item fees are not eligible for this program. 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 is 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).