Fees & Lost Library Items

Overdue items

Most materials have a 28-day grace period before they are declared lost and replacement charges are assessed. 

Reserves & equipment: Late fees are $0.60 to $3.00 per hour. Fees for overdue laptops are 5 cents per minute overdue ($3 per hour). 

Students please note:  Overdue fees will be transferred to student accounts 14 days after they are charged.

 

Replacement charges

For lost items or materials too damaged to repair, the standard replacement fee is $100 per item. This standard replacement fee has been agreed upon and implemented by all UW System Libraries.  Patrons wishing to provide their own replacement copies may do so only with prior permission from the library.  Replacement copies must be brand new and the same or a newer edition of the lost item.  The library will provide you with information on acceptable replacements if you wish to take that route.  We reserve the right to refuse a replacement copy that is provided without prior authorization or that does not meet our requirements.  

Some items, such as laptops and equipment, have higher replacement fees that will be reflected on the bills sent to our patrons for those items.

 

Loss of library privileges

Fees:

UW Oshkosh Students and Staff: Borrowing privileges are suspended when fees exceed $200.
Community & Guest users: Borrowing privileges are suspended when fees exceed $10.

Recalled items:

One overdue recalled item will block a user from further checkouts until the recalled item has been returned.  All items are subject to recall.

 

Damaged materials

Users are responsible for all materials checked out on their accounts and should point out noticeable damage BEFORE checking out any material. Library materials that are returned damaged are subject to charges based on the cost of repairing the damaged item or on standard replacement charge if the item cannot be repaired.

Mutilation of library materials is punishable under Wisconsin State Statute 943.61. The University will prosecute in cases of purposeful theft or damage.

 

Charges for materials not returned

As a general rule, UW Oshkosh Libraries do not charge library users unless absolutely necessary. In the event that materials are not returned, we take these steps to ensure that our materials remain available to other users.  Some items, such as equipment and reserves and other special items follow a much shorter schedule.

  • 5 days prior to the due date:  A courtesy reminder is emailed. You should renew or return items now. Notices are sent as a courtesy. Failure to receive notices does not change responsibility for fees incurred. Due dates are stamped on the card in the back of most items and/or can be viewed in My Account. If the item cannot be located, please contact the library at (920) 424-7316 or email circulation@uwosh.edu.
  • On the due date:  A reminder to return or renew items is sent.
  • At 21 days overdue:  An overdue notice is sent alerting users that the item will soon be considered lost if not returned.  Once an item becomes lost, it is no longer renewable online and must be brought to the Circulation Desk to be returned or renewed in person.
  • At 28 days overdue:  An item is considered lost and a lost item replacement bill is sent. The standard item replacement fee is $100 per item (some items such as equipment, have higher replacement fees). Your library privileges will be suspended if you have over $200 in fees on your account. This means you cannot check out items from a UW Oshkosh Library, other UW System Libraries, or Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
  • At 6 weeks overdue:
    • Students:  Policy change as of 11/4/19:  Student fines and fees of $5 and over will be transferred to student accounts.  Balances can be viewed on TitanWeb after fees are transferred.  Payments will no longer be taken at the library for balances that have been transferred.  All further action and attempts at collecting the fees will be made by the university's financial services division.
    • Staff and community members: A reminder is sent alerting users to upcoming invoicing action at 6 weeks overdue.  At 10 weeks overdue, a UW Oshkosh invoice is sent detailing the replacement charges for the lost items. The invoice must be paid in full at the UW Oshkosh Cashier’s Office in order to clear your university and library blocks (bring your receipt of payment to the Circulation Desk to ensure that the blocks are removed).
  • If a lost item is returned within 90 days of the fee being transferred to student accounts, the lost item replacement fee that was transferred will be reversed within one business day.  
  • After a UW Oshkosh invoice is issued, invoices must be paid in full to reinstate library and registration privileges. Invoices cannot be cancelled and once paid, fees cannot be reimbursed if the items are later located.