Borrowing Material
- Borrowers must present a valid library card to borrow material
- UBCcard (physical or digital version)
- Community Borrower library card
- Alumni card (physical Acard or Alumni app with barcode)
- Library cards are non-transferable and borrowers are responsible for all material signed out to their account. A replacement fee may apply for lost library cards and all outstanding fines and fees must be paid before library privileges will be renewed.
- Lost or stolen cards issued by the UBC Carding Office can be reported online
- Lost or stolen cards issued by UBC Library should be reported to:
- Vancouver: overdues.koerner@ubc.ca
- Okanagan: libquestions.ok@ubc.ca
Loan Regulations
- Borrowers are responsible for the return of all material in good condition
- Loan periods may be shortened and borrowers will be notified of recalled items by email
- Items are due before the library closes on the due date or the date/time noted
Renewing Material
- Most items can be renewed if they have not been recalled by another borrower
- Course Reserve material and equipment cannot be renewed
Recalling Material
- Borrowers can recall items charged out to other borrowers
- Renewed items may be recalled by another borrower and the due date may be updated
- Borrowers who fail to return recalled items by the due date will incur fines and library privileges will be suspended until the recalled items are returned
Returning Material
- Course Reserve material, Interlibrary Loan material, equipment and Videomatica items must be returned to the branch where they were borrowed
- All other items can be returned to any UBC library branch
Privacy of Borrowing Records
- In accordance with BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation, the Library does not release personal information about borrowers including information about items on loan
- It is a borrower’s responsibility to ensure that personal information is not left displayed on library public workstations
Loan periods
| Books | 2 weeks |
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| 8 weeks |
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| Term Loans |
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| Reference Books and Newspapers | Library Use Only |
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| Journals | Library Use Only with some exceptions by branch as noted: |
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| Course Reserves | 2hrs, 1 day, or 3 days |
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| Laptops | Loan periods vary by library branch |
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| Videos/DVDs/Film | 7 days at most branches |
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| Rare Books & Special Collections, University Archives Materials | Library Use Only | |
| ASRS/PARC | Loan periods vary by borrower type |
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Fines Policy
- UBC Library has eliminated most overdue fines with the exception of high-demand items such as those that have been recalled as well as Course Reserves and equipment such as laptops
- Fines accrue as soon as items are overdue
- Borrowing privileges will be suspended for:
- Outstanding fines or charges of $50 and over
- Failure to return an overdue item recalled by another borrower
- Unpaid fines over $50 also results in suspension of online ordering and database services
- UBC Policy #67 enables the withholding of academic transcripts and registration, and referral of unpaid debts to a credit agency
Late Fees
| Books, Journals, Videos with Recalls/Holds | $1/day up to a maximum of $30 per item* |
| 2 hour Course Reserves | $1/hour to a maximum of $30 per item* |
| 1 & 3 day Course Reserves, Interlibrary Loans | $5/day to a maximum of $30 per item* |
| Laptops | $20 or $50/hour to a maximum of $200 per item** |
| Specialized items/equipment | Fines will vary. Confirm with issuing library. |
*plus lost charges for items more than 28 days overdue
**late fees vary by library branch depending on loan period. If a laptop is not returned by the time due, the borrower will be assessed a late fee of $20 per hour or portion thereof (for a 4-hour loan) or $50 per day or portion thereof (for a one-day or multi-day loans), up to a maximum late fee of $200, plus lost charges for laptops more than 10 hours overdue
Fines and Charges Payment
| Online: | All users can pay by going to the UBC Library Online Payment System
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The Library Online Payment System accepts Visa, Mastercard and Interac Debit cards.
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How to Appeal Fines & Other Charges
- To appeal a charge, complete and submit an appeal through the Library Accounts Assistance Form
- Lack of knowledge of loan regulations, failing to note due dates, failing to renew on time, and failing to receive courtesy/overdue reminder notices are not acceptable reasons for cancellation of charges.
- For more information please contact:
- Vancouver: overdues.koerner@ubc.ca
- Okanagan: libquestions.ok@ubc.ca
Notification of Overdues, Recalls, Fines & Other Charges
- The Library sends notices about overdue items, recalls, fines and lost charges by email
- Email notification provides:
- overdue/fine notice at 1 day and 7 days overdue
- lost charge notice at 28 days overdue
- end-of-term notice listing all fines and charges owed
- notice as soon as any fine or charge is incurred
- notice that an item on loan to you has been recalled
- courtesy reminder of items due in 3 days (short term loans i.e. anything 3 days or less are excluded)
- It is your responsibility to ensure that the Library has your current email address.
Suspension of Privileges
- Borrowing privileges may be suspended for the following reasons:
- Failing to pay fines
- Failing to maintain a current mailing address
- Causing disruption in the Library through loud conversation, eating in unauthorized areas, or other inappropriate behaviour
Privacy of Borrowing Records
- In accordance with BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation, the Library does not release personal information about borrowers including information about items on loan
- It is a borrower’s responsibility to ensure that personal information is not left displayed on Library public workstations