Overdue or recall fines are assessed when you keep an item beyond the specified due date. Fines will accumulate until the overdue item is returned or the maximum fine is reached. A fine is not assessed to your account until the item has been returned to the library.
Western Libraries and the Affiliated University College Libraries (Brescia, Huron, King's) and St. Peter's Seminary have a fines threshold of $5.00. If you have $5.00 or less in accumulated fines, you may continue to borrow and carry out library transactions (i.e. check out items, place requests, renew items, etc.).
| Item Type | Per Item | Maximum Per Item |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Loans | 75¢ /day | $60.00 |
| Hourly Loans | $2.00 /hour | $60.00 |
| Short Loans | $2.00 /day | $60.00 |
| Recalls | $3.00 /day | $60.00 |
Fine rates and policies at the Affiliated University College Libraries may differ. For more information, see:
Information about Western Libraries' lending policies can be found in the Access Code for Western Libraries.
If you have outstanding overdue items, your borrowing privileges are suspended in accordance with s. 8 of the Access Code for Western Libraries. Fines in excess of the $5.00 fines threshold also suspend your borrowing privileges. To reinstate your borrowing privileges, you must return all overdue items and pay your fines.
Repeated violation of borrowing rules may lead to the permanent suspension of privileges.
An item that is 35 days (or more) overdue is presumed lost, and is billed for replacement. Western Libraries issues invoices for the replacement cost plus associated processing and billing fees for long overdue items. The replacement cost includes:
Lost and/or damaged materials from Western Libraries are billed to your account. The average item replacement cost for each library location may be used for billing. Western Libraries reserves the right to charge the actual price if the item’s value is more than the location’s average item replacement cost.
| Library Location | Average Item Replacement Cost |
|---|---|
| Business | $75.00 |
| Education | $40.00 |
| Law | $115.00 |
| Music | $125.00 |
| Taylor | $125.00 |
| Weldon | $70.00 |
| Storage | The price for an item located in “Storage" is determined by its original owning library. |
Items that are lost or damaged must be reported promptly to the owning library where staff will determine the replacement cost.
If an item borrowed through Interlibrary Loans is lost or damaged, please contact Interlibrary Loans staff immediately. For more information, see the Interlibrary Loans borrowing Policies help page.
Western Libraries will refund the replacement charges (i.e. item/processing/billing fees) minus the accumulated daily fines for items returned within one year of payment.
After one year there will be no reimbursement. Although they have been paid for, all items remain the property of Western Libraries (see Access Code for Western Libraries, section 8.4).
Fines may be paid during full service hours at:
It is open Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Payment for billed items:
Payment options are:
Patrons wishing to appeal fines should first speak with a staff member at the owning library where the overdue or billed materials are located. If you have already spoken with the staff and still wish to appeal, you may complete the online appeal form found here: http://www.lib.uwo.ca/fines
A printable version of this form can be found here.
If your account is sealed due to outstanding library charges, you must contact the Library Business Office in person or by telephone during business hours to make payment and have your academic records unsealed:
Library Business Office
Room 201 (Second Floor)
The D.B. Weldon Library
519-661-2111 x84807
Monday to Friday: 8:30 am- 4:30 pm (excluding holidays)
The fee for unsealing records is $40.00 and is non-refundable.
Note: Fine policies at the Affiliated University College Libraries may vary. Please consult this page for more information.
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