All QUT staff and students are automatically registered as members of the library. View the QUT Library borrowing conditions for more information.
Here you can find out about your borrowing privileges, including:
- What you can borrow and for how long
- Library notices
- Penalties for late return
- Lost or damaged material
Borrowing guide for QUT staff and students
What can I borrow and for how long?
You are welcome to borrow any books and other items, except those in special collections such as reference and periodicals, which are marked "Not for Loan". All standard loans are subject to recall if required by another borrower. You are guaranteed a minimum 8 day loan.
| Membership category | Number of loans | Standard loan period | Course Reserve | Gaming Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Undergraduate students (degree students, students enrolled in non-award courses). Postgraduate coursework students (postgraduate and graduate certificate students, postgraduate and graduate diploma students, masters by coursework) |
40 items | 42 days plus 4 renewals (unless recalled) | 2 hours use in library | 2 hours use in library plus 1 renewal |
| Staff, Gold Card holders and postgraduate research students (honours students, masters by research, EdD and PhD) | 40 items | 60 days plus 4 renewals (unless recalled) | 2 hours use in library | 2 hours use in library plus 1 renewal |
Why your loans may be recalled early
An item you have on loan may be recalled before the original due date if it is requested by another client. You will be notified by email if loan period is reduced.
You must return recalled items by the new due date. Overdue recalled items not returned attract 40 penalty points per day.
Renewing your loans
You can renew your loans online via the My Library Profile function on the library catalogue. You are able to renew your overdue books online:
- when the item hasn't been requested by another patron
- when the item is less than 14 days overdue.
After this, you maybe able to arrange a renewal by phoning or visit the Learning and Research Desk. NB. Some items, including items from the Course Reserve section, recalled, billed or sanction items cannot be renewed.
Library notices
Notices regarding items awaiting collection and recalled items are sent via email.
Notices regarding overdue items are sent as per the following table:
| Overdue Notice | Timing |
|---|---|
| Courtesy Notice | Emailed 2 days before items due |
| First Overdue Notice | Emailed at 1 day overdue |
| Final Overdue Notice | Emailed at 7 days overdue |
| Replacement Cost Notice | Emailed and posted via Australia Post at 14 days overdue At this time a replacement cost is imposed - items must be returned or this cost paid |
All emailed notices are sent to your QUT email account.
Penalties for late return
When you do not return an item by the date due, you will begin accumulating penalty points for each day the item is overdue. Penalty points accrue at the following rate:
| Type of loan | Points per day overdue |
|---|---|
| Standard | 1 |
| Course reserve and Games Equipment | 10 per hour or part thereof |
| Recalled items | 40 |
Your borrowing privileges may be suspended when:
- standard loans are 14 days overdue; or
- recalled items are one day overdue; or
- your penalty points total 200 or more for Non QUT borrowers; or
- your penalty points total 500 or more for Undergraduate, Postgraduate (Coursework) and Postgraduate research students; or
- Interlibrary loans (if applicable) are eight days overdue.
Reinstating your borrowing privileges
Your borrowing privileges will be reinstated when you return the overdue material unless you have accumulated more than your penalty point limit.
When you have reached your penalty points limit, all borrowing privileges are suspended until you request to have them restored. You must request this by contacting the library. If the penalty point limit is reached on more than one occasion, a $20 Reinstatement of Borrowing Privileges fee must be paid. QUT Staff have no penalty point limit and are not required to pay the Reinstatement fee.
When a standard item becomes 14 days overdue, you will be billed for the replacement cost of the material and your borrowing privileges will be suspended. Course Reserve item are on a shorter billing cycle. This applies to all clients, including students, staff and non-QUT borrowers. The replacement cost is waived when the item is returned. Your borrowing privileges will be restored when the item is either returned or the replacement cost is paid.
Students: When an item becomes 28 days overdue an academic sanction will be imposed on your QUT student record. This will lead to the suspension of access to QUT information facilities including the withholding of results, academic transcript or award certificate. The sanction is cleared when the item is returned or replacement cost is paid.
For all clients (including students, staff and non-QUT borrowers): Should non-payment or non-return of material continue a QUT invoice may be raised for the replacement cost and may lead to possible debt recovery action.
Reinstatement fees and replacement costs can be paid online via QUTPay. If you wish to pay in person, please see the Learning and Research Desk at your branch library.
Lost or damaged material
Please notify library staff as soon as possible if you have lost or damaged a library resource. You may be charged a replacement fee, which reflects the average book purchase price paid by the library. If there are genuine extenuating circumstances, let library staff know and they will try to help.
Alumni and community members
Information for non-QUT staff and students using the library:
Other borrowing services
- Requesting an item on loan
- Placing an intercampus or Library Store request
- Placing a hold
- Booking audiovisual items
- Borrowing a laptop
- Borrowing forms (for QUT staff and students only)
- QUTPay