Library Fines Policy for Students

Introduction

1. This policy sets out the expectations and procedures regarding unpaid library fines at Northeastern University London. It identifies steps the University may take where library fines are unpaid for a significant period.
2. This Policy is required to safeguard the interests of library users and the reputation of the University, both of which are potentially affected by overdue fines.
3. This Policy should be read in conjunction with the Disciplinary Procedure for Students.
4. It should also be read in conjunction with the Senate House Library (‘SHL’) and City of London Libraries policies on fines.

General Principles

5. The timely return of books to the SHL and/or the City of London Libraries is required to balance access to books by different library users. Failure to return a book for a protracted period is outside the spirit of the use of library resources and affects others who may also need access to the book.
6. If students face financial difficulty in pursuing this avenue, the point should be raised with Student Support and Development (SSD), who will consider avenues of assistance in confidence.
7. However, under no circumstance should fines be allowed to accrue indefinitely.

Procedures

8. If fines accrue such as to raise concerns, the following procedure applies:
   1. The Library Officer (LO) will review fines at the end of each term.
   2. If any fines raise concerns, the point will be raised with the Faculty Library Officer (FLO).
   3. If the concerns arise during studies, the FLO and LO may agree to provide a verbal warning to students whose fines raise concerns.
   4. Where this warning is not acted upon to resolve the concerns, the FLO can refer the matter to the Student Disciplinary Procedures. It is, however, expected that this possibility would only apply where significant concerns arise.
   5. In the event of concerns arising towards the end of studies, when there is the possibility that fines might never be repaid after graduation, the University reserves the right to condition attendance at graduation on the payment of fines or return of books, as applicable.
9. Students should note that serious cases of outstanding library fines could be considered indicative of issues with integrity that could affect future opportunities, especially in the professions.^[1]
10. As above, students are strongly encouraged to engage with support services to avoid these procedures proving necessary, especially in the case where there is difficulty in paying a fine.

Reporting, Monitoring and Reviewing

11. This policy will be monitored by the Library Officer.
12. The Library Officer will report to Teaching, Learning and Enhancement Committee annually.

Version History

Footnotes

¹ See e.g. Solicitors’ Regulation Authority, ‘Character and Suitability,’ in Admission to be a Solicitor available at https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/decision-making/guidance/admission-solicitor/ (last accessed 29 October 2019).