Starting in August 2024, UBC Library is implementing changes to its loan policies and fines structure, which will affect all library users on both Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
Term loans for UBC faculty, staff and students
UBC Library on both campuses is instituting term loans for all library materials that can be requested, excluding high-demand, non-renewable materials. With a term loan, material is borrowed for the duration of the academic term, based on the institution’s academic calendar.
Previously at UBC, undergraduate students were limited to a two-week loan period, while graduate students and staff could borrow materials for up to eight weeks. Now, all UBC faculty, staff and students will be able to borrow materials for the same loan period, with three standard due dates per year.
Community users will continue to have a two-week loan period for materials that are renewable and requestable.
This policy shift is intended as an equity, diversity and inclusion initiative to reduce barriers to UBC Library’s collections and to improve the user experience through simplified policies.
For more detailed information about UBC Library’s new loans policy, visit the library website.
Fine and fee changes
The library is increasing overdue fines on high-demand items and replacement fines for lost items on both campuses. The fee for paid Community Borrower Cards will also be increasing for library users on the Vancouver campus.
In 2020, UBC Library eliminated most overdue fines on books, journals and audio-visual (AV) materials for all library users on both campuses. This policy change was made to remove a potential barrier for library users who wish to borrow from the library’s extensive physical collections, without the added worry of incurring fees on items that aren’t in immediate demand. Overdue fines have remained in place for high-demand items to incentivize the return of these items and ensure equitable use for all library users. High-demand items include materials requested by other library users, laptops and other equipment, and course reserve materials.
The fines structure for high-demand items had not changed for over 30 years and no longer reflects the current value of the library’s collection or provides sufficient incentive to return high-demand items on time. Similarly, the fines for lost items and Community Borrower Card fees were also outdated and did not reflect the value of these resources.
The new fine and fee policies can be reviewed on the library’s website on the Loan Policies and Fines page.
The library will review its fine and fee policies on an annual basis. Library users with questions or concerns about these policies can reach out to Borrower Services in Vancouver (overdues.koerner@ubc.ca) and in the Okanagan (libquestions.ok@ubc.ca).
Annual suspension process resumes
UBC Library ran an annual suspension process for all outstanding fines, which was paused during COVID-19. This process has now been reinstated on both campuses. For more information on the suspension of privileges, please visit our website.
For more details on the new policies and fee structure, visit the library website.