Borrowing

Who can borrow the Library's print resources? 

All active staff and students at the University of Notre Dame Australia with an unencumbered account can borrow print materials from the University Library. Borrowing entitlements vary depending on the level of study or staff category. 

The University Library also provides access to some print collections for the following borrowers. These borrowers do not have access to use the library’s electronic resources: 

• Reciprocal Borrowers – currently enrolled students and employed staff of participants in the ULANZ scheme, a cooperative arrangement between CAUL (Council of Australian University Librarians) and CONZUL (Council of New Zealand University Librarians). There is no charge for this service. Borrowers are provided with services subject to the terms of the ULANZ scheme. 
• Alumni - Individuals who have graduated from the University may continue to borrow from the University Library. There is no charge for this service. 
• Community Borrowers - Members of the public who wish to register as borrowers may do so for a maximum period of 12 months at a time. Most public borrowers will be required to pay a charge for the service. The amount of this charge will be published on the community borrower information page. 
• Discretionary Borrowers - Discretionary borrowers are individuals who are offered services at a specific library at the discretion of the University Librarian.  

Borrowing entitlements for all borrowers can be found on the University Library website.  

What are the conditions of borrowing?

To access library materials, borrowers must present a current ID card, such as a Notre Dame student/staff ID card; an ID card from a reciprocal institution; or a photo ID. 

Borrowers will be informed of the due date for their loans verbally, by email, or a receipt slip. Borrowers will be reminded of their due dates, or informed of any changes to their due dates, by email. Regardless of this information, it is every borrowers’ responsibility to be aware of their due dates by checking their Library Account and regularly checking their designated email address.  

All borrowers are responsible for adhering to the University Library’s borrowing entitlements as stated on the University Library website. In addition, borrowers must adhere to the following conditions: 

• The materials borrowed are returned to the University Library before closing time on the date they are due to be returned, or by the due time for short term loans; 
• The materials are returned in the condition in which they were loaned, allowing for normal wear and tear; and
• Any items on loan are the sole responsibility of the person who borrowed them, for the duration of that loan, regardless of who they may subsequently loan the materials to. 

What are the penalties of overdue, lost or damaged items?

Students, staff and visitors to the University Library are required to adhere to the library’s borrowing policies and are responsible for the prompt return of library materials. Failure to do so will result in the inability to borrow further library materials and may require payment of associated replacement costs and/or late fees once they exceed a set amount.  

If a borrower does not return an item within a certain period after their due date, the item status will change to “lost” and a default replacement fee will be applied to the borrower’s library record, in addition to any applicable late fees. In accordance with Section 4.4 of the University’s General Regulations a lost books will also result in a negative service indicator on the student’s academic record and may prevent the release of academic transcripts until the library block is resolved.

Once a lost item is returned to the library, the associated replacement fee will be removed from the borrower’s account. If there are any applicable late fees to be paid, the library block will remain until the fees are paid to the University Fees Office.  

If a lost item is determined to be a high demand or valuable item, a replacement may be purchased by the Library and the student will be responsible for a default replacement fee. If the item is returned after a replacement copy has been purchased, the fee will not be refunded to the borrower.  

University staff are not required to pay late fees, only replacement fees if applicable.  

Patrons who return a damaged item may be required to pay a replacement fee. The decision to purchase a replacement copy is made by the Senior Access Librarian on the relevant campus. 

An overview of the library's current fines and fees amounts can be found on the University website and are subject to change at the discretion of the Senior Access Librarian on the relevant campus, the Access Services Manager or the University Librarian. 

What is the process for disputing a fine?   

If a library patron believes that they have returned their item and/or should not be required to pay the required late or replacement fees, they will need to submit a dispute in writing to the relevant library email address. 

Disputes are reviewed and resolved by the Senior Access Librarian on the relevant campus, the Access Services Manager or the University Librarian.