Fines & Fees
Student library charges are transferred to University Billing on a monthly basis. As a result, library debts are included on students’ University bills and may result in a ‘hold’ on a student’s record. Prior to being transferred to University Billing, fines will be viewable through the View Your Own Record function in My Catalog. Once any charges have been transferred, student payments can be made at Student Financial Services.
Recent charges that have not yet been sent to University Billing and all non-student charges can be paid online with a debit or credit card. Patrons may pay fines online. If paying overdue fines please choose the Library Fines option and if paying for lost items please choose the Book Replacement option.
Details for library charges can be requested at the Olin Library Help Desk. You can also email us at circ@wumail.wustl.edu.
Additional Notes
- Fines are per day unless marked differently.
- Lost books are the cost of the book or default price, plus a processing fee.
- Lost MOBIUS and ILL items will be subject to replacement costs charged by the owning the library, plus a processing fee.
- Please contact Olin Library, Al and Ruth Kopolow (Business) Library, or Kenneth and Nancy Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library for fines for technology items, depending on where you checked out the item.
Lost/Stolen/Damaged Books and Replacement Charges
University Libraries hold borrowers financially responsible for all library material checked out on their accounts. Borrowers are responsible for notifying the Circulation Unit immediately if library material is lost or stolen. To speak with a member of the Circulation Unit, borrowers may visit the Help Desk at Olin Library, call (314) 935-5420, or e-mail circ@wumail.wustl.edu. The Circulation staff will assist borrowers in resolving their accounts or direct questions and concerns to the Circulation Librarian.
Charges for lost, damaged, or stolen library materials are intended to help University Libraries replace the material and make it available for future use. A non-refundable $15.00 processing fee is charged in addition to the replacement cost. Replacement costs vary for Washington University’s material. The table below shows the default cost of items if a price is not listed for the item in the library system.
MOBIUS items have a replacement cost of $100.00 and a $20.00 processing fee. Replacement costs are variable for Interlibrary Loan items and determined by the lending library.
Payment by the borrower in no way implies the transfer of ownership of library property. Unreturned items remain the property of the library. If the borrower finds and returns the material in good condition after paying for the material, the replacement cost may be refunded or credited depending on the circumstances, but the processing fee will remain.
Fines & Fees Schedule
| Library | Books | Recalled Books | Hourly Reserve | Day Reserve | Journals | Videos/ DVDs | CDs/ Cassettes | Lost Books |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art & Architecture | $.20 | $.40 | $.60/hour | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $100 + $15 fee= $115 |
| Brown School | $.20 | $.40 | $.60/hour | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $45 + $15 fee= $60 |
| Business | $.20 | $.40 | $.60/hour | $1.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $45 + $15 fee= $60 |
| East Asian | $.20 | $.40 | $.60/hour | $1.00 | $1.00 | N/A | N/A | $45 + $15 fee= $60 |
| Law | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $100 + $25 fee= $125 |
| Music | $.20 | $.40 | $.60/hour | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $45 + $15 fee= $60 |
| Olin (Main) | $.20 | $.40 | $.60/hour | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $45 + $15 fee= $60 |
| West Campus | $.20 | $.40 | $.60/hour | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $45 + $15 fee= $60 |