Starting in August 2024, UBC Library is changing its loan policies and fines structure, which will affect all library users on both Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
Term loans for all library materials can be requested, excluding high-demand, non-renewable materials. With a term loan, material is borrowed for the duration of the academic term. In the past, undergraduate students were limited to a two-week loan period, and graduate students and staff could borrow materials for up to eight weeks. Now, all UBC faculty, staff and students will be able to borrow materials for the same loan period, with three standard due dates per year. This policy shift is intended as an equity, diversity and inclusion initiative to reduce barriers to UBC Library’s collections and to improve the user experience through simplified policies. For more detailed information about UBC Library’s new loans policy, visit the library website.
Fines are increasing both for overdue fines on high-demand items and replacement fines for lost items. In 2020, UBC Library eliminated most overdue fines on books, journals and audio-visual (AV) materials for all library users with a goal of removing a potential barrier for library users who wish to borrow from the library’s extensive physical collections, without the added worry of incurring fees on items that aren’t in immediate demand. High-demand items affected by this polity change include materials requested by other library users, laptops and other equipment, and course reserve materials. The new fine and fee policies can be reviewed on the library’s website on the Loan Policies and Fines page.