UBC Library has recently changed its policies regarding fines, fees and loans for both Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
The previous policy allowed undergraduate students a two-week loan period for non-high-demand items, with graduate students allowed loans for up to eight weeks. According to the UBC Library’s issued update, loan durations for non-high-demand items have increased across the board. The new policy allows all faculty, staff and students to borrow materials for equal amounts of time with three standard due dates per academic year.
In an interview with The Ubyssey, University Librarian Dr. Susan Parker explained that the new term loan system is an equity, diversity and inclusion initiative. The goal is to equalize library material ownership time while allowing students to keep items for longer periods without having to renew their loans.
“We’ve heard from students … worrying about renewing things on time …. We’d like [students] to have a better experience,” said Parker.
Parker further explained “a term loan is not a guarantee that [one student] will alone possess the book for the full term,” but rather a promise for term possession until “someone else makes a request for it.” If any individual needs material already loaned out, they can simply recall the item.
The UBC Library’s policy on fines for overdue, high-demand materials has also changed. High-demand items refer to materials frequently requested, like phone and laptop chargers, as well as course reserve books for larger classes. The previous policy mandated students pay $1 for every day (or hour, depending on the item) loaned material was late with a maximum fee of $30 per item. According to Parker, these fines have doubled to $2 per day/hour with a maximum fee cap of $60.
The reason for this increase, Parker said, is to “make sure high-demand items are always available, rather than being in the hands of just a few …. [and to] incentivize people to return these things promptly.”
Parker additionally said that fines for some UBC Library materials haven’t changed in 30 years, and the new increases are partially to help combat the rising cost of books.
Along with fine increases, UBC Library has also resumed its annual suspension processes, which had been put on pause due to COVID-19. Students that fail to pay fines, return overdue items or who cause disruptions in the library will be subject to suspension of library privileges.
Parker additionally said that UBC Library is open to feedback and dedicated to helping its students. If the new policies don’t work, “we want people to tell us so that we can change [them] accordingly.”
Students can direct questions or comments to Associate University Librarian Aleteia Greenwood or Associate University Librarian and Director Julie Mitchell, Parker said.
“Do not keep [any confusion or troubles] to yourself and avoid the library. Let us know, and we’ll try to help you.”
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