Fines and Fees

Fines

Fines will be charged for items that are not returned when needed by another borrower, i.e., items that have been recalled or any item(s) on Course Reserve. Materials that are not renewed and long overdue (varies due to loan periods) are considered Lost and will be billed at replacement fees. Most Reserve items, media and equipment will go lost and billed after much shorter periods depending on the loan period.

• Recalled Items--A fine of $10.00 per day per item is charged for recalled items not returned by the due date established at the time of recall. 
• Reserve Items-Hourly, one day, and three day overdue Course Reserve items accrue fines at the rate of $2.00 for the first hour/day and $5.00 for each additional hour/day per item. One week Reserves are $5.00 for the first day and $10.00 per day thereafter. 
• Equipment--Fines for Laptops, Locker Keys, Headphones, etc. will vary and basically follow Reserve item overdue policy; please check with the lending location for details.
• OhioLINK Items--Unlike OSU, OhioLINK overdue fines are charged at the rate of $.50 per day whether the item has been recalled or not. OhioLINK items are assumed lost if overdue more than 30 days. A $50.00 fine will be charged for items that are assumed lost and then returned. 
• Locker fines-- Fines for Daily and Quarterly lockers are as follows: 

  Daily Locker Late Return of Key: $0.50 per hour
  Quarterly Locker Late Return of Key: $10.00 per day up to $100.00
  Key and Lock Replacement: $50.00 Each
  Removal of Unauthorized Materials: $2.00 / Item
  Locker Cleaning Fee: $25.00
  Damage to the Locker: $25.00

Damaged Items

Based on the extent of damage to an item, the appropriate repair department will determine a fee for repair and that amount will be placed on the patron record. Please use the fine appeal form to contact the Sanctions Office with questions. 

Lost and Billed Items

Long overdue items are assumed lost, (Reserve items and Equipment are assumed lost and billed in less time varying in relation to their due dates) and a lost item fee will be added to the borrower's record. The fees are $140 per book and $170 per volume for bound journals, micro format items may have different charges, please check with the lending location for details. (the fee includes a $40 processing fee). If the items are returned, the replacement/processing costs will be waived. (Note: OhioLINK items are assumed lost and billed at $125.00 if overdue 30 days or more. They have a billing fee of $50.00 that will be charged for item that are assumed lost and then returned.). Patrons with lost and billed items are blocked from borrowing until the charges are settled with the Libraries. 

 In lieu of Lost and Billed charges, the Libraries provide the option to accept purchase of a replacement book with payment of the processing fee ($40 for OSU items, $50 for Ohiolink items). Replacement copies must be approved thru the online appeal process. OhioLINK replacements must be approved by the owning institution; please use the fine appeal form to contact the Sanctions Office prior to purchasing a replacement book. 

Items reported as returned will be searched for promptly in all library locations. If the items are not found, you will be charged a replacement fee. 

Loss of Borrowing Privileges

Fines and other fees of $75 or more automatically result in a suspension of borrowing privileges (sanctions) and a block placed on your University records, including registration, grades, transcripts, and receipt of financial aid. 

Sanctions and blocks are not removed until accounts are paid, or a successful appeal of the fine is made using the online appeal form. 

 Payment of Fines and Fees

Fines and fees owed to the University Libraries (excluding Health Sciences, Law Library and Regional Campus Libraries) can be paid online with Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. To make an online payment please use the online payment form.

Payment can be made by phone at (614) 292-2400 using BuckID or credit cards during regular office hours (M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm, closed holidays).  Checks should be made out to The Ohio State University Libraries and should be mailed to: The Library Business Office, 122 Thompson Library, 1858 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43202.

Patron accounts submitted to Accounts Receivable for collection must be paid through the Student Center Web site at http://buckeyelink.osu.edu/

  Appealing Library Fines and Fees

University Libraries make every effort to regulate fines according to well defined standards. However, under some circumstances you may have sound reasons for appealing a fine. Please review the Libraries' Circulation Policy and procedure prior to filing an appeal.

All Appeals must be submitted using the online appeal form.

Patrons can expect a response within 5 business days during normal activity levels.

Appeals must be submitted using the form within thirty days, (1) month, of the fine date to be considered. Please include copies of receipts, library notices, and other useful documentation when submitting the online appeal form. 

All reasonable concerns related to Library charges will be considered; however, the following are NOT considered reasons on which an appeal can be based: 

• Lack of understanding of Library policies. Circulation policies are available on the web and are the responsibility of the patron to read and understand. 
• Unwillingness to take responsibility for materials checked out to you which you loaned to another person or allowed others to use. 
• Non-receipt, late receipt, or inattention to library mail. Renewal reminders are sent as a courtesy by the Libraries; therefore, it is the patrons' responsibility to monitor their circulation records and ensure prompt renewal of items with or without these reminders. Patrons not reading e-mail due to conferences, vacations, holidays, quarter breaks, etc, are still responsible for responding. It is the patron's responsibility to make arrangements for maintenance of their account during these times of absence.