Library reduces fines, unifies loan periods

There will be a lot fewer library fines levied against UW–Madison library patrons this fall.

Under a new policy, a student who does not return an item by its due date will get a reminder that the material is overdue, but no late charges will be assessed. Students may still renew the overdue item.

The libraries made the policy change largely in response to concerns that library fines disproportionately affected undergraduates.

“Our users deserve the respect that this honor system affords,” says Ed Van Gemert, head of user services at Memorial Library. “We count on people to be responsible library users and return materials promptly. A day or two does not make that much of a difference, and it gives users a little flexibility when they are busy with exams and papers.”

If another library user has recalled an item, however, the student must return it promptly. Books on regular loan can be returned to any campus library that features an “open return” sticker on its book return. Patrons will be billed to replace material that is not returned after the due date — if they have not responded to overdue notices.

A standardized 28-day loan period at most campus libraries has also taken effect for undergraduates. This measure is expected to make it easier for students to track their borrowed library materials. They also can renew items twice, which effectively allows users to keep materials for an entire semester, if needed.

Those who wish to renew and recall materials may already do so from residence halls and apartments through any Internet connection to MadCat, the online library catalog system.

The change standardizes a significant aspect of circulation policies for nearly all 42 campus libraries. Circulation policies at the Health Sciences Libraries will not be affected. The loan period for graduate students, faculty, and staff will not be affected by these changes.