- How do I borrow?
- How many items can I borrow?
- What can I borrow and for how long?
- How do I return items?
- Library notices
- What happens if I return an item late?
- What happens if I lose or damage an item?
How do I borrow?
To borrow take your selected items and your borrower card to the Loans desk or Express loans machines.
How many items can I borrow?
| Membership category | Maximum number of loans allowed |
|---|---|
| Reciprocals | 10 items |
| Associates | 10 items |
| ALIS | 10 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".
| Standard loans | 7 day loans including videos and software | Course Reserve | External collection | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All standard loans are subject to recall if required by another borrower. You are guaranteed a minimum 8 day loan. | ||||
| Associates, reciprocals and alumni | 28 days plus 1 renewals (unless recalled) | Not available | 2 Hours use in Library | 2 Hours use in Library |
Recalled items
An item you have on loan may be recalled 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 duedate. Overdue recalled items not returned attract extra 20 penalty points per day.
Renewals
You can renew your loans online via My Library Profile when the item:
- hasn't been requested by another patron
- is less than 8 days overdue
How do I return items?
Items must be returned to the Library by the due date, unless the loan is renewed. 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 at these postal addresses.
Library Notices
All library notices (recalls, items ready to be collected, overdues etc) are sent via email. Please provide an email address which you can check regularly. If you do not have an email address, notices will be sent via Australia Post.
Replacement cost letters will be sent via Australia Post for those who do not have an email address.
What happens if I return an item late?
When you do not return an item by the date due, you will begin accumulating penalty points for each day the item is overdue. Your borrowing privileges may also be suspended. The Library will send you a 1st overdue 'Alert' notice and then a 2nd/Final overdue notices for items.
Penalty points accrue at the following rate:
| Type of loan | Points per day overdue |
|---|---|
| Standard | 1 |
| 7 day | 10 |
| Course reserve | 10 per hour or part thereof |
| Recalled items | 20 |
Borrowing privileges are suspended when:
- standard loans are eight days overdue; or
- seven day loans are four days overdue; or
- recalled items are one day overdue; or
- your penalty points total 200 or more.
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 at the Loans 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 continues to be overdue
In addition to the above actions, when an item becomes six weeks overdue, you will be billed for the replacement cost of the material which reflects the average book purchase price paid by the Library. If the item replacement cost is paid, your borrowing privileges will be reinstated. Should non-payment or non-return of material continue, stronger penalties will apply eg. suspension of access to other information facilities or the withholding of a student’s results, academic transcript or award certificate.
What happens if I lose or damage an item?
Please notify Library staff as soon as possible. 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 in any way possible.
For more information, please consult the following QUT Library Borrowing Conditions.