Fines & penalties
GST does not apply to fines for students enrolled in GST-free courses.
The Library may be required to charge other borrowers GST.
Fines
Fines apply to all library materials which are returned late. The rate of fines has been set by the Libraries Committee, and varies according to the borrowing period of the items concerned - shorter borrowing periods attract fines at a faster rate, as the items are in heavier demand. Below is a schedule of the fine rates.
| Borrowing category | Initial accrual rate | Next accrual rate | Maximum fine per item |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 or 3 hour | $2.50 per hour for first two hours overdue | $1.00 per hour for each additional hour overdue | $15.00 |
| Overnight | $5.00 for first day overdue | $2.00 per day for each subsequent day overdue | $15.00 |
| 2 Day | $1.50 per day overdue | $15.00 | |
| 7 Day | $1.00 per day overdue | $15.00 | |
| 28/90 Day | $0.50 per day overdue | $15.00 |
Please note that all fine amounts accrued equalling or exceeding the $15.00 credit are payable.
Fines are accrued for any part of each hour/day overdue.
Renewing some overdue items is possible, but fines will still be placed on your library record.
Rolling credit
$15.00 rolling credit is offered as a goodwill gesture:
- Fines are not payable until the total fines owed on your record reach or exceed $15.00.
- Once $15.00 is reached, all fine amounts on your library record are payable.
- Once paid, and your record cleared, the library will offer you another $15 credit.
- At the start of each year each patrons accumulated fines are reset to zero if less than $15.00.
Please note : Overdue items can be renewed only when your total fine amount on your library record is less than $15.00
Suspensions from borrowing
You cannot borrow items if your library card
- has overdue items. (Please note that delays should be expected while returned items are being processed.)
- has a fine that reaches or exceeds $15.00
- while there are still outstanding fines or invoices on your record eg lost book
- you have outstanding fees owed to the University
- CAVAL borrowers will be suspended at their home library until
overdue materials have been returned and outstanding fines paid. Information
regarding incurred charges is communicated to the home library of the borrower
who will be subseqently suspended from borrowing. Extra charges may be incurred
at the home library. When payment is made the home library will again
be notified and the suspension will be cleared.
Other penalties
Until all overdue materials are returned and all outstanding charges paid,
course results are withheld, and it is not possible to enrol,
re-enrol or graduate.
Your responsibilities
- All items must be returned on or before the due date via the returns chute to the University of Melbourne Library.
- As a borrower, it is your responsibility to note the date that borrowed material is due for return. The due date is clearly marked on the due date slip or printed due date receipt at the time of checkout (unless the item/s have been renewed).
- It is also possible to monitor your own borrowing record on the librarys computer catalogue - ask library staff if you are uncertain how to do this.
- Automated email alerts are sent 2 days before a library item is due to be returned.
However this is a courtesy service only, and failure to receive a notice is not an accepted reason to have penalties for late returns removed from your library record.
For University of Melbourne staff and students this service will only go to your University email address, and cannot be customised. To forward email from this account to another email address visit http://www.infodiv.unimelb.edu.au/email/student/ - You must notify the library immediately if your card has been stolen as you may be held responsible for any items borrowed on your library record.
How to pay a fine
Overdue items must be returned and cleared from the record before a fine
can be paid.
Cash payments for fines can only be made at regional branches, other payment
options are:
EFTPOS
To enable easy payment of fines, the Loans Desks at the Baillieu, Law and ERC Libraries have a EFTPOS facility which enables you to directly transfer funds from your account. All ATM cards (with the exception of American Express and Diners Club) are accepted. Fines can be cleared immediately to re-enable borrowing.
Credit card
Credit cards (with the exception of American Express and Diners Club) are accepted at the Loans Desk in the Baillieu and ERC Libraries. Credit card payments can also be made over the phone on 8344 0444 . Fines can be cleared immediately to re-enable borrowing.
UNICARD
The Loans Desks at the Baillieu, Law, ERC, and Biomedical Libraries have a UNICARD swipe card facility which enables you to directly transfer funds from your UNICARD swipe card.