Fines + Fees
Library Fines and Fees
McIntyre Library has made a concerted effort to remove fines and fees from our materials where possible.
Here are some useful links to resources related to fines and fees:
- See what you have checked out, when its due, and how much is owed in fines or fees: Online Patron Account
- Appeal fines or fees: Online Fine Appeal
- Pay fines or fees online: Pay Fines Online
We strive to communicate with our patrons as broadly as possible information related to material they have checked out. A checkout receipt is emailed at the time of checkout and an additional courtesy email is sent 4 days before the item is due. A full activity email of all items currently checked out and all current fines is automatically sent on the 2nd day of each month.
Overdue fees vary depending on the item (see chart below).
Fine Amounts - Overdue Library Materials
Fine Type |
Fee Amount |
Maximum Overdue |
| Overdue, General Collection (Books, Magazines, etc.) | No Overdue Fines* | N/A |
| Overdue, Government Publications | No Overdue Fines* | N/A |
| Overdue, EMC | No Overdue Fines* | N/A |
| Overdue, Media (CDs, DVDs, etc.) | No Overdue Fines* | N/A |
| Overdue, Recalled Items | $2.00 / Day | $30 |
| Overdue, Locker | No Overdue Fines* | N/A |
*Replacement fines still apply if an item is damaged or lost.
Fine Amounts - Interlibrary Loan
Fine Type |
Fee Amount |
| Overdue, Interlibrary Loan | $1.00 / Day |
| Interlibrary Loan Not Picked Up | $5.00 / Item |
| Interlibrary Loan Return Without Bookband | $5.00 / Item |
| Returned Without a Barcode | $5.00 / Item |
Fine Amounts - Course Reserve Materials
| Overdue, 2 Hour Course Reserves Checkout | $0.01 / Minute |
| Overdue, 1 Day Course Reserves Checkout | $1.00 / Day |
| Overdue, 3 Day Course Reserves Checkout | $1.00 / Day |
| Overdue, 7 Day Course Reserves Checkout | $1.00 / Day |
Fine Amounts - Overdue Equipment and Rooms
Fine Type |
Fee Amount |
Maximum Overdue |
| Overdue, Equipment Checkout | $5.00 / Hour | Varies by Equipment Type |
| Overdue, Study Room Key Checkout | $5.00 / Hour | $30 |
| Overdue, Virtual Reality Lab Checkout | $5.00 / Hour | $30 |
| Overdue, Audio Recording Lab Checkout | $5.00 / hour | $30 |
Lost Items
If an item is 28 days overdue, the library declares it “lost.” A replacement fee of $100 is charged to the library user’s account. After an additional 28-day period of inactivity, the $100 fine will be forwarded to the Business Office for collection. If the item is returned in satisfactory condition before the $100 fine is forwarded to the Business Office, the fine will be removed from the library user’s account.
Replacement Charges
The replacement fee for lost or damaged library materials like books, periodicals, and CD/DVDs is $100.
Lost or Damaged Library Equipment
Fines and fees vary for equipment depending on the value of the item.
Other Fines and Fees Information
Maximum Fine Balance
Anytime your total fines are equal to $200 or more, your library account will be blocked.
Equipment fines must be paid or appealed within 20 days; if no action is taken, your library account will be blocked until paid.
Paying Library Fines
Library fines can be paid in person at the Circulation Desk or online. Cash, check (payable to “UW-Eau Claire”), credit/debit, and Blugold (not including declining) are accepted. If you are unable to pay in person at the library, you can contact the Circulation Manager to discuss options for payment. You also may mail your payment to:
McIntyre Library – Circulation Desk
UW-Eau Claire
105 Garfield Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
Payment Plans
If you need to set up a payment plan to pay off your fine(s), you may contact the Circulation Manager.
Unpaid Fines
Fines and fees which remain unpaid for an extended period of time may be sent to the Business Office for collection. Fines and fees forwarded to the Business Office can no longer be appealed, reduced or waived. Library accounts forwarded to the Business Office will be blocked until the entire fine has been paid to the Business Office. The Business Office may also put a hold on your registration until the fine is paid off.
Fine Appeals
If you feel you are being unjustly fined, or if you have extenuating circumstances regarding overdue items, you may submit a fine appeal. The Fine/Overdue Appeal Form is available online as well as in the monthly circulation summary email.
A fine can only be appealed once. If a fine has already been appealed, reviewed and a decision on the fine has already been made, it cannot be appealed again.
Appealed fines must be paid within 20 days of the time the decision is made on the appeal. If the fine is not paid within 20 days, your library account will be blocked until the entire fine is paid off.