Please note that some library services (Ask Us, Get It, ILL, EZBorrow) will not be available during the upcoming winter recess dates of December 18 - January 2

Length of Loans & Fines

Length of Loans & Fines for University of Pittsburgh Faculty, Staff, Students

Note: ULS-assessed fines and fees can be paid online or in person. Fines and fees from Health Sciences and Law should be paid at the assessing library.
  Pitt Faculty Pitt Staff Pitt Students:
Graduate and Undergraduate
Maximum Number
of Books		 No Limit No Limit No Limit
General Loan Period 1 academic year1 1 academic year1 1 academic year1
Renewals 2 Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Journals 7 days, no renewal, 3 item limit, $1 7 days, no renewal, 3 item limit, $1 7 days, no renewal, 3 item limit, $1
Media 14 days, 1 renewal, 10 item limit 14 days, 1 renewal, 10 item limit 14 days, 1 renewal, 10 item limit
Fines
 		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item
Reserve Materials
 		 $1 hourly or daily per item
$100 per item		 $1 hourly or daily per item
$100 per item		 $1 hourly or daily per item
$100 per item
Recalled Materials $1 day per item
$100 per item		 $1 day per item
$100 per item		 $1 day per item
$100 per item
Alldred Collection 3 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item
Borrowing
Suspended		 $25, 1 recalled item, 1 lost item $25, 1 recalled item, 1 lost item $25, 1 recalled item, 1 lost item
Lost Material
Replacement Cost		 As per current acquisition cost As per current acquisition cost As per current acquisition cost
Lost Material
Processing Fee		 $25 $25 $25

NOTE: Some ULS collections may have more restrictive policies

  1. Due date end of spring term.
  2. Renewals for upcoming academic year are available 2 weeks before due date. NO renewals on recalled/requested items.
  3. Alldred Collection books circulate for 4 weeks with a maximum renewal period of 8 weeks for University of Pittsburgh faculty/staff/students. 

 

Length of Loans & Fines for Pitt Academic Visitors, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) members, and ULS Special Borrower Card Holders
  Pitt Academic Visitors Osher Lifelong Learning
Institute (OLLI) Members		 ULS Special Borrowers4
Maximum Number
of Books		 10  10 10
General Loan Period 28 days 28 days 28 days
Renewals NA NA NA
Journals NA NA In-library use only
Media 7 days, no renewal, 3 item limit 7 days, no renewal, 3 item limit 7 days, no renewal, 3 item limit
Fines
 		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item
Reserve Materials $1 hourly or daily per item
$100 per item		 $1 hourly or daily per item
$100 per item		 NA
Recalled Materials $1 day per item
$100 per item		 $1 day per item
$100 per item		 $1 day per item
$100 per item
Alldred Collection 5 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item		 $0.25 day per item
$100 per item
Borrowing
Suspended		 $25, 1 recalled item, 1 lost item $25, 1 recalled item, 1 lost item $25, 1 recalled item, 1 lost item
Lost Material
Replacement Cost		 As per current acquisition cost As per current acquisition cost As per current acquisition cost
Lost Material
Processing Fee		 $25 $25 $25
  1. ULS Special Borrower and Reciprocal Borrower (See Policy 10-03-03: ULS Special Borrowers and Access to University Libraries). This policy to be reviewed and/or revised annually.
  2. Alldred Collection books circulate for 2 weeks with a maximum renewal period of 4 weeks. 
  3. Recalls: The library may recall material that is needed for a required Course Reserve reading list.
    Recalls can occur anytime for any user. If you are unable to return recalled library materials, please Ask Us to learn about your options 
    The fine rate for unreturned recalled items is $1 per day per item. 
    There is no grace period for overdue recalled materials. 
    If you have an item that is recalled, it will need to be returned within 3 days.
    Overdue recalled items will prevent renewals, requests, new loans.
  4. Resource Sharing EZBorrow has a16-week loan, no renewals, overdue fines are $0.25 per day/per item.
    Other consortia loan periods and renewals vary depending on the lending institution.
    Overdue fines are $1 day/per item. Materials can be recalled by their home institution at any time.

Paying Fines

Fines may be paid at any ULS Library Service Desk whenever full-time staff are on duty. Make checks payable to University of Pittsburgh. Fine payments may also be sent directly to the following address:

Hillman Library
Donald S. Wood Service Desk
3960 Forbes Ave
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

If you have questions or concerns about payments to your library account, please Ask Us.

Purpose of Overdue Fines

The purpose of fines is to encourage the prompt return of borrowed materials so that they will be available for use by others. Fines for overdue items are charged to all categories of borrowers. Grace Period: The library offers a seven-day grace period for normal circulating items. Grace periods do not apply to journals, recalled items, reserve, or other material in specific subcollections.

Notices

Overdue notices sent by the ULS are courtesy reminder notices only. The ULS is not responsible for delayed delivery of notices due to inaccurate addresses or other delivery problems. The first overdue notice is sent the day after items are due. When an item is 28 days overdue, a final notice is sent, and the user's borrowing privileges may be suspended until the situation is resolved. Once overdue material is returned, a bill that includes the total amount of the fine is generated and sent within one business day.

Lost Item Replacement Charges

A library service block is applied when materials are declared lost, 28 days for most collections.  The replacement amount will be billed after one month. The amount is based on current acquisition cost plus a non-refundable $25 processing fee for each item. "Lost" items cannot be renewed and must be returned to the library or paid for your account to be credited. Library users who wish to provide a replacement copy for lost or damaged library materials may do so, however, the replacement copy is subject to approval of the ULS bibliographer. In addition, the $25 lost item process fee will be assessed. Students with outstanding unpaid overdue fines of $100 or more will be forwarded to the University Collections Office on a monthly schedule. 

Updating Your Address or other Information

Please see the Office of the University Registrar Personal Information page