Circulation & Reserves FAQ 

Answers to common questions about:

• Returning library materials
  
• Fines
• Damaged library materials

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• Can I return materials to any MIT library? 
• Can I return non-MIT library materials here? 
• Can I return materials if the library is closed?
• Can someone else return materials for me? 
• What happens if I return something late?
• What should I do if I lose something I have on loan?

Can I return materials to any MIT library?

Yes, except for coure reserve materials. Course reserves should be returned to the lending library. Please contact the lending library if you have questions.

Can I return non-MIT library materials here?

Items obtained through Interlibrary Borrowing can be returned to any MIT Libraries location. All other non-MIT materials should be returned directly to the lending institution.

Can I return materials even if the library is closed?

Yes. All locations have overnight book drops, except the Lewis Music Library and the Library Storage Annex. There is an additional dropbox in the Stata Center at the Libraries' Information Intersection. The Stata bookdrop is emptied once per day in the morning. Bookdrop returns from the previous evening are back dated at check-in to reflect the actual return date.

Course reserves, equipment, fragile items and loose-leaf notebooks must be returned directly to a service desk.

Can someone else return materials for me?

Yes. Anyone can return your library materials for you.

What happens if I return something late?

For standard 30-day loans, there is a 4-day grace period after the due date - if a book is returned within 4 days after the due date, no fine will be incurred. Once the grace period has expired, the fine is calculated based on the original due date. The overdue fine will be charged to your account when the book is returned or renewed.

Fines for reserve items accrue after a 15-minute grace period at the rate of $2.00 per hour. Fines for recalled items accrue after a 1 day grace period at the rate of $2.00 per day.

A fee of $135 or more ($120 for replacement of material + a $15 processing fee) is automatically charged for loans that are more than 30 days overdue. Overdue fines cap when the replacement charge is assessed. Capped fines will range between $15-30 depending on the loan period and fine rate for the overdue material. The $135 fee will be waived when overdue materials are returned. The overdue fine(s) will remain on your account.

If you do not return a RECALLED book by the date requested, or your total fines amount to $270 or more, your borrowing privileges will be automatically suspended until the overdue materials are returned or the fines are paid.

Non-book items may have different borrowing and fine rates.

Questions about material borrowed through Interlibrary Borrowing should be directed to the ILB office.

What should I do if I lose something I have on loan?

If you lost a library book and need to replace it, contact the service desk of the owning library. Staff at the service desk can advise you on your options.

Questions about material borrowed through Interlibrary Borrowing should be directed to the ILB office.

• How do I pay fines?
• How do I appeal a fine?
• What should I know before appealing a fine?
• What reasons are considered basis for an appeal?
• I have library materials on my account that I already returned/never checked out. What do I do? 
• Would you like to share your thoughts on the MIT Libraries fines policy?  

How do I pay fines?

Several options are available:

• With cash or check at any MIT Library service desk.  Checks should be made payable to MIT Libraries.
• With TechCash at the Hayden Library service desk.
• With MITPAY.  Fines are transferred to the Bursar's office approximately 1 month prior to the end of the semester. Once fines are transferred, students may pay through MITPAY. Faculty, staff and outside users whose fines have been transferred will receive a bill from Accounts Receivable (AR) with instructions on where to send payment. All fines transferred to AR incur an additional $5 fee.

How do I appeal a fine?

Please use the fine appeal form if you believe one of the “reasons considered basis for appeal” applies to your situation. Include specific information about the item, associated charge, date and place where you returned the material. Library staff will review your appeal and respond within a week.

Fine appeals must be submitted within one year of the original billing date.

What should I know before appealing a fine?

All library users are expected to follow library policy and basic guidelines when borrowing materials. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the accrual of fines. Such fines will not be considered for appeal.

• Stay familiar with the Libraries’ circulation policies.
• Read your library courtesy and overdue notices.
• Update the library when your home address or email changes.
• Check your loans regularly through Your Account.
• Return items on time.
• Do not loan items you have borrowed to a friend.
• Return items before going on leave or vacation.
• Return items before leaving the country.
• Avoid returning items by mail whenever possible. Items that are received after the due date and grace period have passed will accrue fines.
• Renew items on or before the due date through Your Account or by telephone.

What reasons are considered basis for appeal?

• Library error processing the transaction
• Family emergency
• Serious illness or injury

I have library materials on my account that I already returned/ never checked out.  What do I do?

Fill out the fine appeal form or contact the service desk of the owning library. Please provide specific information about when and where the item(s) was returned. The item(s) will be marked as "claimed returned," but remain on your account during the search process.

Staff will check the shelves and staff processing areas of the owning library, as well as the other MIT Libraries. If the claimed returned item is not found in the first search, a secondary search will be repeated 4 weeks after the claim date. Staff will contact you when the book is located or the search period has elapsed to notify you of the results.

Would you like to share your thoughts on the MIT Libraries’ fine policies?

Please Tell Us!. Your feedback will be used to assess our services.

• What happens if I damage library materials?
• I like to use highlighters or pencils for notation. Is this "damage"?
• What about stickies or Post-it notes?
  

What happens if I damage library materials?

Please report it to the library service desk. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may be responsible for the cost of replacing the book.

I like to use highlighters and pencils for notation. Is this "damage"?

Yes, it is. What might help you might make it more difficult for someone else to use the book. Besides, it's simply bad for the books. You will be fined a replacement charge for any books which have been damaged by underlining or highlighting.

What about stickies or Post-it notes?

Do not use them on library materials.  The glue they use is not acid-free and it can harm library materials. Book pages can be torn easily when stickies are removed. If you need to bookmark certain pages, we ask that you use non-adhesive paper or thin cardboard bookmarks.