Related Policies:
- Community Borrowers Policy
- Law Library Policy
- UNB Libraries Saint John Policy
- CURBA/CAAL Policy (for borrowing at other universities or borrowing by students/faculty from other university libraries)
Please contact us with any questions.
UNB Libraries Fredericton Borrowing Policy governs the borrowing of materials from the Harriet Irving Library, the Engineering & Computer Science Library, and the Science & Forestry Library. This policy attempts to balance three goals: basic fairness to all borrowers, facilitation of research, and efficient use of library resources.
All library users are responsible for knowing and following the rules stated in this Borrowing Policy. Users fined or suspended under these rules may not use ignorance of the rules as the basis for an appeal.
Library Cards
Users must present a valid UNB/STU ID card to borrow materials. ID cards are non-transferable. People not affiliated with UNB or STU may apply for a Community Borrower Card. A lost or stolen card must be reported immediately to the Library. Such cards will be suspended to prevent possible misuse.
Returning Materials
Borrowers are responsible for returning materials on time and in good condition. Any damage, including the use of highlighters, may cause an item to be declared lost and corresponding charges will apply.
Library books may be returned at any UNB Library or book drop.
The following materials must be returned to the library from which they were borrowed:
- Reserve items
- Maps
- Computer technology and equipment
Item Retrieval
Material held by UNB Libraries may be requested through the Request Item link in the library catalogue for pickup at the borrower’s home library.
Item Retrieval FAQs
Item Retrieval FAQs
- How do I make a request?
- Please use the Item Retrieval link within UNB WorldCat.
- What can be requested?
- Material held at any UNB Library can be requested for retrieval at the borrower’s home library. Material that cannot be borrowed, or signed-out, cannot be requested. Course Reserve material also can not be requested.
- How will I know when my requested item is available?
- You will be alerted by an email sent to your UNB / STU email address.
- I’m in a hurry. Is Item Retrieval the fastest way to get my material?
- It will take a couple of days for the item to be available for pick up, so it may be faster to retrieve it yourself directly from the shelf if possible. Until the item is retrieved from the shelf by library staff it will be available to other borrowers.
- How long does it take for my requested item(s) to be available to be picked up?
- Your material will generally be available to you a couple of days after you request it. An email will be sent once it’s ready to be picked up.>
- How long do I have to pick up my material?
- You must retrieve your material within three days or it will either be returned to the shelf or signed out to another borrower.
Recalls
Once a user has had an item on loan for 2 weeks or longer, it can be recalled for use by another borrower, or for Course Reserve. A notice will be sent to a borrower’s UNB / STU email address. Recalled material is due 4 days after a notice is sent. Fines for recalled items are higher than regular late charges.
Recalls may be issued at any time, including holidays. Borrowers are advised to return all material prior to leaving campus for an extended period. Failure to do so does not exempt a borrower from fines or suspension if an item is recalled.
Overdue Fines and Notices
UNB Libraries will send reminder notices as a courtesy, and will alert borrowers when an item has been recalled. It is a user’s responsibility to read library notices, which will be sent to the university email address on file. Failure to receive an overdue notice does not exempt a user from fines or suspension.
Failure to return library materials on time will generally result in overdue fines. Once an account balance of $25 or more in fines is reached, fines must be paid in full.
Fines and Fees
| Item Type | Per Item Late Fees | Maximum Late Fees | Lost Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books, Periodicals, DVDs/Videos and miscellaneous items lent daily/weekly | $1 /day | $28 | $200 or the cost to replace, plus accumulated late fines |
| Recalled items | $5 /day | $100 | $200 or the cost to replace, plus accumulated late fines |
| Course Reserves | $5 /hour or any portion thereof | $100 | $200 or the cost to replace, plus accumulated late fines |
| Short Term Loans (not Course Reserves) | $1 /hour or any portion thereof | $50 - $200 | $200 or the cost to replace, plus accumulated late fines |
| Document Delivery | $1 /day | $28 | Charges may also be applied by the lending library |
Lost Items
If a user has not returned an item by the time the maximum late fees have been incurred for that item, then the item will be declared lost and the user will be billed a lost fee of $200, or the cost to replace the item (whichever is higher), plus the accumulated late fines. The fee may be considerably higher, depending on the value of the lost item. In some instances a replacement item may be substituted, with prior approval. Please contact staff at the lending library.
We welcome the return of lost items to the library collection. A borrower who has paid a bill with Financial Services may apply to the Library for a refund of replacement fees.
A bill is sent to Financial Services for collection if unpaid by the borrower within two weeks of a bill being sent by the Library.
For intercampus loans, the lost fee policy of the lending library will apply.
Suspensions
A borrower with overdue library material, or unpaid library bills of $25 or more, will be suspended from further borrowing until overdue material is returned and/or library bills are paid.
If charges reach $100, a borrower’s account will be referred to Financial Services (UNB or STU) and borrowing privileges will be suspended until the account has been cleared. A user whose account has been sent to Financial Services may be unable to access most library e-resources and services until all outstanding library fines and fees have been paid and the library is officially notified that the account has been cleared.
University Sanctions
Once the Library has transferred a user’s unpaid bill to Financial Services, the University has the ability to withhold diplomas, grades, and transcripts and to block IT privileges until all library charges are paid.
Appeals
Issues having to do with fines and/or suspensions can generally be resolved directly with the Head of Circulation Services.
For unresolved issues, the borrower may appeal, in writing, to the Senate Library Committee. Appeals should be submitted within one week of the case in question to: Dean of Libraries, UNB Libraries. The decision of the Committee is final and not subject to further appeal.
Privacy Statement
UNB Libraries is committed to protecting the personal information of all library users. The information held in library records is accessible only to authorized UNB staff. This information is collected under the authority provided for in the New Brunswick Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. For more information on the protection of personal information at UNB please consult the University Secretariat, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3 (506) 453-4613. For more information see: lib.unb.ca/privacy.
Loan Periods
General Loan Privileges (Excluding Course Reserves and Laptops, which are non-renewable)
| Borrower | Loan Period | Maximum # of Items | Renewals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Students | 3 weeks | 100 | 5 |
| Graduate Students / Faculty / Staff | 1 term | 100 | 2 |
| Community / Alumni / CURBA | 3 weeks | 10 | 5 |
Document delivery loans and any item currently subject to recall may not be renewed.
Other Loan Privileges for All Borrowers
| Item type | Loan Period | Maximum # of Items |
|---|---|---|
| Periodical | 1 week | Included in book allowance |
| Video/DVD | 7 days | Included in book allowance |
| Popular Reading Collection (HIL) | 3 weeks | Included in book allowance |
Reserve Loan Privileges
Material in high demand may be placed on Course Reserve by Course Instructors, for periods of 2 hours, 1 day, 2 days or 3 days. Course Reserve items may be restricted to in-library use only. Course Reserve material must be returned to the library from which it was borrowed.
Book Drops
The external Harriet Irving Library book drop is located at the back of the building. It allows borrowers to return material without coming into the library. The Engineering & Computer Science Library book drop is open only when the library is closed. The Science & Forestry Library book drop is available only when the library is open. Laptops and other equipment should not be returned in the book drop. Course Reserve material must be returned to the library from which it was borrowed.
Contact Us Info:
- Harriet Irving Library
- Circulation Services
- 506-453-4756 circhi@unb.ca
- Engineering & Computer Science Library
- 506-453-4747 englib@unb.ca
- Science & Forestry Library
- 453-4601 scilib@unb.ca
Revised February 2019