Library to Eliminate Late Fees

Mon. Aug. 9, 2021

On September 1, 2021 the Library will switch to a term-based loan system, eliminating late fines for all loans except recalls and print reserves. Most items will be due at the end of the term in which they are borrowed unless recalled or renewed, with three standardized due dates; December 15, April 15, and August 15. Periodicals, interlibrary loans, multimedia materials, course reserves, and special collections will retain their shorter loan periods.
 
Overdue borrowers may have their accounts blocked and will have one month to return their item(s) before a refundable replacement fee is assessed and a second due date is issued. Items returned by the new date will have the replacement fee waived or refunded. Items not returned by the new due date will be considered lost and the replacement fee will become non-refundable.
 
This will create a single borrowing policy for students, faculty, and staff (including the collegiate) and align UWinnipeg with many other institutions across North America, including the University of Manitoba and Winnipeg Public Library. As digital materials become more popular, fines are an increasingly unnecessary deterrent that disproportionately affect student and low-income borrowers. The new loan periods also create a predictable annual cycle that is easy to communicate and standardized across the institution.
 
See the full loan policy for details, and contact circulation@uwinnipeg.ca if you have any questions.