Circulation Fines and Fees

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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 not returned or renewed within 29 days* after their due date are 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 29 days. Replacement fees will be waived for “Lost” books returned within a reasonable timeframe, but the processing fees will not be waived.

Replacement fees are a minimum of $50.00 per book from most collections, but items from the following collections 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

Library staff make an effort to note damage before an item is allowed to circulate. Damage can be classified as accidental or intentional. 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. The patron is also responsible for any accidental damage (liquid, animal damage, etc.) that is determined to have occurred while the item was in their care. Damage, whether accidental or intentional, shortens the life of the book; in some cases the damage is so severe that the item must be replaced.

If an item is returned damaged, the following fines and fees will apply:

  • Mild Damage: A $5.00 fee will be assessed for minor pencil marks, dog eared pages and post-it notes.
  • Moderate Damage: A $10.00 fee will be assessed for marking in pen or highlighter.
  • Minor Water Damage: If water damage is confined to the cover and only the edges of the text block or the fly leaves, the item will be sent to the bindery. A $20 fee will be assessed ($10 for binding or repair and $10 for processing).
  • Severe Damage: A replacement fee of $50.00 plus a $10 processing fee will be assessed for damage that renders the book unusable. This includes torn or missing pages, excessive water damage, active mold or mildew, and excessive marks made by pencil, pen or highlighter.

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.

*Evanston Resident borrowers are automatically blocked when accrued fines reach $50.

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” (on the 30th day past the due date) 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 Fines and Fees FAQ to help answer your questions.