Borrow, Renew, Return: Charges & Fines

If you have lost or damaged a book, you may be required to pay the cost of a replacement copy. Fees are fixed, as outlined below. 

What do I do if I’ve lost a book?

If you notify us that you have lost an item currently on loan to you, we will immediately check the shelf for the item to confirm it has not been returned to us. 

If the item is found, it will be returned from your account. We will contact you to confirm this. 

If the item is not found:

• A replacement charge (as below) will be added to your account. We will contact you to confirm this. 
• You will be strongly encouraged to continue looking for the item at home, or in any place where you were in possession of it.

If you subsequently find and return the lost item, all replacement charges will be waived. 

What do I do if I’ve returned a book, but it’s still on my account?

If you notify us that you have returned or never had an item on loan to you, we will immediately check the shelf for the item. 

If the item is found, it will be returned from your account. We will contact you to confirm this. 

If the item is not found:

• We will search the shelves on three occasions over a three-day period. 
• You will be strongly encouraged to conduct your own searches at home, or in any place where you were in possession of the item(s).
• You will be contacted within five working days to inform you of the outcome. 

If the item has not been located after our searches, we will assume that it was lost while on loan. Replacement charges (as below) will be added to your account. 

If you subsequently find and return the lost item, all replacement charges will be waived. 

What do I do if I’ve damaged a book?

Patrons may be liable to pay a replacement fee for a damaged item if: 

1. The damage is severe and irreparable
2. The damage was caused by circumstances within your control 

Severe and irreparable damage will significantly impair reading. Examples include:  

• Missing pages
• Significantly damaged front cover 
• Extensive staining or water damage
• Extensive and permanent annotation 

Circumstances within your control are those in which damage could have been easily avoided through proper storage and/or care. Examples of circumstances within your control include: 

• Food and drink spills/staining 
• Extensive and permanent annotation 
• Broken spine, ripped pages or cover from misuse/improper storage/rough handling 

If you believe you have damaged an item, please inform the library helpdesk. We will evaluate the extent of the damage and decide whether it is necessary to charge a replacement fee.

If you return a damaged item without informing the library helpdesk, you may be contacted and charged a replacement fee (as below). 

All fines and charges can be paid at the helpdesk, self-service kiosks, or Online Shop. Click here to access the Online Shops. 

To pay via the self-service kiosks, click the “Make Payment” button and scan your student/staff card. Follow the instructions on screen to complete payment.

To pay via the Online Shop please click here.

• Enter the total you would like to pay in the “Amount” box and click “Add to Basket”.
• Click the “Shopping Basket” button to view your payment, and “Proceed to Checkout”.
• You will be prompted to login to/set up an account.

Please note that this process is not automated. The library team will manually remove charges from your account during business hours; payments will not be processed outside of these times.