Fines & Lost Items

To view your outstanding fines and fees, log into My Library Account and select Fines.

Users are responsible for paying all outstanding fines and other fees.

Paying Fines & Fees

The following payment methods are accepted.

Visa, MasterCard, NFC (e.g., Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, etc.)

  • Crerar Circulation
  • ID & Privileges Office: in person or by telephone 773-702-3344
  • Regenstein Circulation: in person or by telephone 773-702-8781

Check

Checks should be made payable to "The University of Chicago Library."

  • Crerar Circulation
  • ID & Privileges Office
  • Regenstein Circulation
  • Social Work Library Circulation
  • By mail: To pay by mail, send a check to our mailing address (see Returning Items by Mail).

If a payment by check does not clear due to insufficient funds or a stop payment request, the original fee will be reinstated and a $50 returned check fee will be added to your account.

Overdue Fines

Only recalled items, physical reserves, and 7 day loan items are charged overdue fines.

To view a complete list of overdue fine policies, see Due Dates & Loan Periods.

Damaged Item Fee

The fine for damaged items will be determined by library staff up to the full replacement value of the item, depending on the damage.

Fines for damaged Interlibrary Loan items from other institutions are determined by the lending library, not University of Chicago Library staff.

Lost Item Fee

Items that are long overdue will be billed as lost.

Lost item fee: $150 per item minimum

The lost item fee may be increased at the discretion of Library staff for an item whose value exceeds $150.

Returning a lost item will result in a waiver of the lost item fee; however, any overdue fines incurred for that item will remain.

Paying a lost item fee will remove an item from your account; no overdue fines will be charged.

Providing a Replacement Copy for a Lost Item

In lieu of the lost item fee, the Library will accept a replacement copy of a lost or damaged item.

A replacement copy must be new or used in Very Good condition (clean, unmarked, and untorn with an intact spine and binding) or better. Former library copies are generally not acceptable.

A replacement copy must also match the lost item to the satisfaction of the subject librarian, based on the following criteria: title; author; editor; translator; edition; pagination; ISBN or ISSN

Not all lost Interlibrary Loan items are eligible for replacement. If you've lost an Interlibrary Loan item and would like to provide a replacement copy, contact Interlibrary Loan.

If you wish to provide a replacement copy for a lost item, please reply to the library notice or Contact Circulation.

Refunds for Lost Item Fees and Replacement Copies

If you find and return an item within one year of paying the lost item fee, contact Circulation to request a refund of the lost item fee. Any refunds will be applied first to any outstanding fines and other fees owed to the Library before the remaining balance is issued.

If you find and return an item after providing a replacement copy or after the Library has purchased a replacement, the Library will return either the replacement copy or the original Library item. It will be at the Library's discretion which copy is retained by the Library.

Appealing Fines, Claiming Items Returned, Reporting Loss or Damage

Please reply to the notice you received or contact Circulation to appeal a fine you feel was assessed in error, to claim that you've already returned or never borrowed an item checked out to your account, or to report a lost or damaged item.

Library staff will review your appeal/claim and grant or deny it based on surrounding circumstances, including your overall library record. Items claimed returned will be searched for by library staff twice over a 4-6 week period; if not found, library staff will bill the item as lost on your account or declare the item missing.

Account Suspension

The following will result in the temporary suspension of borrowing and renewing privileges:

  • an outstanding balance of $50 or more
  • a recalled item overdue by 3 or more days

Restriction at the University Registrar

In addition to the suspension of borrowing privileges, current and former students who owe the Library $100 or more on Monday of the sixth week of the quarter will be restricted with the University Registrar, which will prevent future enrollment and access to other University services until these charges are paid.

Current students who owe the Library $100 or more on Monday of the sixth week of the quarter they are scheduled to graduate will not receive a diploma until these charges are paid, although they will be allowed to participate in commencement exercises.

Current students who owe the Library $250 or more on Monday of the sixth week of the quarter they are scheduled to graduate will not receive a diploma or be allowed to participate in commencement exercises until these charges are paid.

University Registrar restrictions caused by library charges will be lifted one business day after library charges are paid; if you need restrictions lifted in less than one business day, please contact the ID & Privileges Office or call 773-702-3344.