Policy Approval Authority |
Management Team |
Responsible Division |
Public Services |
Responsible Office |
Information Delivery Services (IDS) |
Responsible Officer(s) |
IDS Manager |
Contact Person |
AD of Public Services, Leanne VandeCreek |
Effective Adoption Date |
06-16-1994 |
Last Review Date |
10-18-2018 |
Policy Category/Categories |
University Libraries Billing |
Updated: 03-21-2025 (Updated text and format to meet new library policy standards, replaced Courtesy Card with Visitor Library Card)
Policy Narrative
The following policy has been formulated to define library billing procedures, borrower categories that may file appeals, to identify cases for which appeals may be filed, and to ensure that all appeal cases are handled in a fair and impartial manner.
Billing
Patrons are billed if they lose materials or if they damage them. The library considers most items “Lost” when they are 60 days overdue. Lost materials that are not laptops are fined at $100 per item.
Overdue Materials
- Patrons can check their library account online to see due dates.
- Patrons receive a Courtesy Notice from the library when their checked-out items are about to be due.
- Patrons receive an Overdue Notice from the library when items are overdue.
Damaged Materials
The library charges a fine when items are returned damaged. The cost is determined by the Head of User Services. Patrons have the option of replacing an item instead of paying for its replacement. Please contact the Head of User Services for further information. Library charges are processed by the Bursar’s Office. The library does not accept in-person or online payments.
Borrower Categories
- NIU academic staff: ranked, unranked, full-time, part-time, visiting, adjunct, affiliate, retired, temporary faculty, and supportive professional staff (SPS).
- NIU students: graduates, undergraduates, dissertation and theses candidates, at-large, and part-time.
- NIU operating staff: full-time, part-time, and retired.
- Visitor Library Card holders, which include:
- Alumni (non-contributing)
- State of Illinois residents
- Minors (with parental consent only)
- I-Share affiliates: faculty, students, and operating staff of other I-Share institutions.
Billing Appeals
Patrons may appeal charges. Library staff and the Head of User Services will review appeals. Patrons will receive an email with information about their decision.
Appeals Cases
To initiate an appeal, an appeals form must be completed and returned electronically, by mail, or in person at the Checkout Desk. Appeals will be processed as they are received.
Consideration will only be given to appeal cases that are within one calendar year of the date of the invoice that generated the need to file an appeal, with exceptions allowed during Library amnesty periods. Patrons may initiate appeals for the following reasons at NIU Libraries:
- Overdue notices
- Lost item billing charges
- Damaged item charges
- Overdue fine charges for Reserves items
- Suspension of NIU borrowing privileges
Appeals may only be initiated for fines incurred for NIU materials, not for violations of Circulation policies at other institutions.
Outcomes of Appeals
There are three outcomes for appeals:
- Appeal granted
- Appeal denied
- Appeal cannot be heard
Requests for a reconsideration of appeal outcome will be handled by the Head of User Services and must be forwarded to the Head of User Services within one calendar year of the date listed on the Appeal Response letter. Requests received after that date will not be eligible for reconsideratio,; the original outcome stands.
A. Appeal Granted
Appeals may be granted under any of the following conditions:
- Reasonable doubt exists about the accuracy of the library’s records.
- Patron provides verification that they returned other items at the same time.
- There is a possibility of error due to multiple copies and/or volumes of an item.
- Patron may have fines reduced because the item(s) has been returned, but the patron will still be responsible for charges incurred for library service fees.
B. Appeal Denied
Appeals may be denied under any of the following conditions:
- No proof of error on the part of the library can be found.
- The patron has not supplied adequate and/or relevant information.
C. Appeal Cannot Be Heard
- There is currently no billing invoice for this/these items.
- The item or items are still listed as “LOST,” “IN PROCESS,” or “MISSING” and are not on the shelf.
Retention of Library Billing Records
All patron billing records are purged from the library after five calendar years. For all questions concerning Library Billing older than five years, please refer to the NIU Bursar Office.