Fines and Fees

Daily Fines

NU Main Library does not charge daily overdue fines for most circulating items with the exception of overdue recalled items and short term loan items, including:

• Items which have been recalled: $1.00 per day
• Items from the Core Collection: $5.00 per day
• Items from the Multimedia Center: $2.00 per day
• Items on Reserve for a class:
• 2-hour items:     $1.00 per hour
• 1-day items:      $5.00 per day
• 3-day items:      $1.50 per day

Overdue fines will apply at all times, including over holidays, vacations, and intersessions. Patrons are responsible for keeping track of their due dates, which can easily be accomplished by logging into “My Account” on NUCat.

Lost Status Items

Books that are overdue for 30 days* or more will be automatically marked with “Lost” status by the library system.  A replacement fee and a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee will be automatically assessed for every book overdue by more than 30 days. Replacement fees will be waived for “Lost” books returned within a reasonable timeframe.

Replacement fees are a minimum of $50.00 per book from most collections, with the exception of items from the following collections, which have a minimum replacement fee of $125 per book:

• Art Collection
• Science and Engineering Library
• Math Library
• Geology Library

*Prior to September 8, 2007, the “Lost” status was applied on normal loan after 50 days. Currently, items from the Multimedia Center are considered "Lost" after 10 days, and items on Reserve are considered "Lost" after 7 days.

Damaged Items

Patrons who return items damaged by intentional misuse (including highlighting, underlining in pencil or ink, or use of adhesive notes) may be assessed fees on those items according to the severity of the damage.

Blocked Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing privileges are automatically blocked on accounts which:

• have accrued fines of $100* or more; or
• have Overdue Recalled items.

Patrons with blocked accounts are unable to check out new books or renew books currently checked out. A blocked patron should be able to access information about why her or his account is blocked by logging in to "My Account" on NUcat. Patrons unable to log in to "My Account" at all should check with the Library Privileges Office to see if there is a problem with their library account.

Payment

Fines and fees are payable by cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) at the Main Circulation Desk whenever the register is open. Checks and exact change are accepted at the Circulation Desk when the register is closed.

Payments may also be made by mailing a check (payable to NU Library) to:

Northwestern University Library
Circulation Services Department
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston, IL 60208

Please call to verify the amount owed before sending any payment by mail.

Unpaid bills and fines are reported to the Student Accounts Office at least twice a year. Bills sent to Student Accounts include an additional $10.00 reporting charge.

Notices

An overdue notice is automatically generated and sent out by e-mail or mail the first day an item goes overdue. Additional notices are generated weekly until the item is considered “lost” (30 days) for a total of 4 notices.
 
Overdue notices are sent out as a courtesy to all borrowers, but borrowers are liable for fines and fees whether or not an overdue notice has been received. If you are not receiving overdue notices, please contact the Circulation Desk or the Library Privileges Office to verify your e-mail or mailing address.

Patrons can check due dates on all items checked out to them, as well as renew them, by logging into “My Account” on the NUCat website.

Statements of Fines/Fees

Three times a year, the Northwestern University Library system sends out Statements of Fines and Fees to our patrons detailing all current outstanding unpaid fines and fees. If you have received one of these Statements and have further questions about it, please visit our Fine/Fee Statements FAQ to help answer your questions.