TRU Library > Library Services > Students > Borrowing Policy

Library Services for TRU Students:
Borrowing Policy

 

 

Borrower's Responsibility
dot How do I get a library card?
dot My library account has expired. What do I do?
dot What is my library PIN?
dot What are the fines and charges?
dot What are the loan length, renewals and fines for students?
Appeals of fines and other charges
Library Fines Appeals Committee
 

Borrower's Responsibility

The Library extends borrowing privileges to currently registered students, - on site, distance, regional and Open Learning – as well as faculty, staff, alumni, local community borrowers and others approved by the Library who have accounts in good standing. Library borrowers whose accounts have been blocked or barred are not eligible for borrowing privileges until their accounts have been cleared.

The TRU borrowing card must be presented each time a borrower wishes to borrow materials from the Library.

• The Library will hold the borrower whose name the card is in responsible for all use made of the card.

• The borrower is responsible for: immediate notification of lost, stolen, or damaged cards; reporting and payment for lost or damaged materials; and reporting any changes of address and contact information.

• Borrowers are responsible for returning all material to the TRU Library by the due date or overdue charges will apply.

• It is the borrower’s responsibility to ensure that they are aware of all circulation policies and practices to avoid fines and/or suspensions of their patron record.
 

How do I get a library card?
Your TRU Campus ID card is your library card. Kamloops students can get a TRU Campus ID card at the Campus Cashier window, located in Old Main building (OM1614).

Williams Lake student can get their TRU Campus Card at the bookstore/library centre. You must present your TRU Campus ID card every time you wish to borrow materials from the library.
 

My library account has expired. What do I do?
All library accounts expire at the end of August. Returning students will need to come to the library to reactivate your library account. Your library PIN will be the same as last year.
 

What is my library PIN?
If you've never activated your library account or are new to TRU, your initial library PIN is based on your 6-digit birthdate (YYMMDD).  Knowing your Library PIN is extremely valuable as it allows you to access to a number of library "self-service" features: renew your own materials, check the status of your holds, see when your materials are due back, and search library databases from home.
 

How do I change my library PIN?
It is a good idea to change your PIN to something that is easy for you to remember. You PIN can be a combination of letters and numbers. Be aware that our automated system is case-sensitive. (i.e. the password "shadow1" is not the same as "Shadow1" or "SHADOW1").
 

Fines and Charges
• All library users are charged fines for overdue, damaged or lost library materials, plus a non-refundable $20 processing fee for each item lost or damaged.

• Fines begin to accrue as soon as items are overdue.

• When incurred and/or accrued fines for TRU students, faculty and staff and for community borrower’s reaches $10, library privileges (borrowing, interlibrary loans, searching licensed databases, etc…) will be suspended.

• At 3 days before the due date and again a day before the due date, the Library sends out a courtesy email to remind patrons to return their library materials.

• An overdue notice is mailed when an item is 7 and 14 days overdue. If the item has not been returned or renewed within 28 days, it is assumed lost and a bill for the cost of the lost item plus a $20 non-refundable processing fee will be issued.

o If the item is returned, the replacement cost for the lost item will be cancelled, but the overdue fine and the processing fee will remain.

• Replacement costs for lost or damaged items are assessed up to the full replacement value of the item plus a $20 non-refundable processing fee.

• The TRU Library offers the following payment options:

o In person at TRU either the Kamloops or Williams Lake campus libraries. Payments are accepted by cash, cheque, interact or credit card (Visa or Mastercard).

o Via Canada Post. Make a cheque payable to TRU and mail it to the TRU Library at the appropriate campus.

o By phone to the Kamloops or Williams Lake campus libraries to pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard).

 

What are the loan length, renewals and fines for students?
Students have a 2-week loan period for most circulating items. Most items may be renewed up to 4 times, unless a hold has been placed.

All students must pay overdue fees, damaged, and replacement costs for lost items.

Students may borrow a maximum of 50 items at one time. Items maybe borrowed for 2 weeks on most items, however, there are exceptions...
Library Item
Length of Loan
Maximum # of
Renewals *
Fines levied per item/day
Books
2 weeks
4
.50/day
Reserves
2 hour**, 2 hour
in- library use only
0
$1.00/hour
1-day, 3-day, 7-day
0
$2.00/day
Videos (VHS, DVD)
3 days
2
$1.00/day
Software
2 weeks
4
.50/day
Audio CD's
2 weeks
4
.50/day
Cassettes
2 weeks
4
.50/day
Pamphlets
2 weeks
4
.50/day
Government Documents
2 weeks
4
.50/day
Interlibrary Loans
2 weeks or determined by lending library
 0 $2.00/day
Periodicals
not applicable
0
not applicable
Laptops
3 hours
0
$10/hour
* unless a hold has been placed
** If borrowed within 2 hours of closing, due time is 30 minutes after opening the next day.
 
All library users are charged fines for lost, damaged or lost library materials. If incurred and/or accrued fines for TRU students reaches $10, library privileges (borrowing, interlibrary loans, searching licensed databases, etc...) will be suspended.
 

Appeals of Fines and Other Charges
To discuss a fine or other charges, contact the Coordinator of Circulation Services at the TRU Kamloops Campus Library or any Library staff at the Williams Lake Campus.

If the matter is not resolved at this initial discussion, then it can be forwarded to the Borrower and Data Services Librarian. If the matter remains unresolved after a discussion with the Borrower and Data Services Librarian it can be forwarded to the Manager, Library Services. If the matter still remains unresolved after a discussion with the Manager, Library Services, a written appeal can be made to the Library Fines Appeal Committee who will adjudicate the appeal.

To appeal a fine or other charge on grounds such as a documented medical problem, complete and submit an online Fines Appeal Form. Paper-based Forms are also available at the checkout and reference desks.

 

Library Fines Appeals Committee
The Library Fines Appeal Committee shall consist of the Manager of Library Services, who will chair the committee, the Coordinator of Circulation Services, the Borrower and Data Services Librarian, one undergraduate student, one graduate student, and one faculty member. The mandate of the Library Fines Appeal Committee is to adjudicate appeals.