Here you can find out about community member borrowing privileges, including:
- What can I borrow and for how long?
- Recalled loans
- Renewing your loans
- Library notices
- Penalties for late return of material
- Lost or damaged items
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 |
|---|---|---|
| ALIS membership | 10 items | 28 days plus 1 renewal (unless recalled) |
| Reciprocal membership | 10 items | 28 days plus 1 renewal (unless recalled) |
| Associate membership | 10 items | 28 days plus 1 renewal (unless recalled) |
| Educational Associate membership | 10 items | 28 days plus 1 renewal (unless recalled) |
How do I find and borrow items?
To find an item in the library view video demonstrations about How to search the library catalogue for books and Finding an item on the shelf.
To borrow take your selected items and your borrower card to the Learning and Research Desk or express loans machines.
How do I return items?
Return chutes are located both inside and outside each branch library. You can return items to any branch library. Do not leave items on loan to you inside the library. You may also post returns back to the library. Items must be returned to the library by the due date, unless the loan is renewed.
Recalled loans
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
Library notices
All library notices (recalls, items ready to be collected, overdues etc) are sent via email to your QUT email account. The overdue alert email notice is sent when your loans are one day overdue. The second and final overdue notice is sent when standard loans are seven days overdue. A replacement cost letter sent when an item is 14 days overdue. Replacement cost letters will be sent via Australia Post.
Penalties for late return of material
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 |
| Recalled items | 40 |
The Library will send you a first overdue 'Alert' notice and then a final overdue notice for items. Your borrowing privileges may also be suspended when:
- standard loans are 14 days overdue; or
- recalled items are one day overdue; or
- your penalty points total 200 or more.
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 in person at the Learning and Research Desk. If the penalty point limit is reached on more than one occasion, a $20 Reinstatement of Borrowing Privileges Fee must be paid.
When an item becomes 14 days overdue, you will be billed for the replacement cost of the material. If the item replacement cost is paid, your borrowing privileges will be reinstated.
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.
View the QUT Library borrowing conditions for more information.
