Question

I am worried about being fined for overdue books if I can’t make it to the Library to return them. What should I do?

Answered By: Borrower Services McClay Library
Last Updated: Aug 10, 2023     Views: 345

Renewing items

Standard loan books will be automatically renewed unless they have been requested by another Library member or your library membership is due to end (e.g. because you have graduated).

Your books will automatically be renewed the day before they are due and you will receive a Renewal Update email informing you of the new due date. These books will therefore not become overdue and won't incur a fine.

The following items may not be renewed:

  • Short loan items
  • Requested items If a book that you have on loan is requested by another Library member, we will send you a Book in Demand email asking you to return it. This means you will have up to one week to finish using it, but this may be less depending on when the item was due. (Don’t worry, you can always request the book again if you haven’t quite finished with it). 

Why have my books not been renewed?

Sometimes it will not be possible to renew a book even though you haven’t received a Book in Demand email. This could be for a number of reasons:

  • Often the library will hold multiple copies of the same title. When all copies are on loan and a request is made for it our system stops the renewal option on all copies to ensure that the request is satisfied as quickly as possible.  Unless you have received a Book in Demand notice then you don't need to worry, you can retain your copy and it will be renewed along with everything else on your account as soon as the actual requested copy is returned.  This will not affect your account, as there will be no charges applied due to the delay in renewing.
  • You owe too much money. Once you pay any outstanding charges you can renew your loans through ‘My Account’
  • You have an overdue short loan or requested book. Please return it to your nearest Library and visit ‘My Account’ to renew your other loans. Please note this type of overdue item will block the renewal of everything else you have on loan until it is returned
  • Your Library Membership is about to lapse (eg. you are soon to graduate or are taking a staff post elsewhere). In this case, please return your books by the due date.
  • Your books are inter-library loan books, requested from other libraries on your behalf. Please contact a member of library staff to ask about an inter-library loan renewal.

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