Available 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Additional Options

Fines, Blocks, and Holds

Contact Circulation Support with any questions about fines and fees, account holds, or payment.

Resolving Fines, Blocks, and Holds

Payment

  • Current faculty, staff, students, and Library Card holders: Pay through your library account.
  • Other patrons: Contact Circulation Support to receive information on how to pay online with a credit or debit card.

If you pay a lost item replacement fee for a UW-Madison item, you can receive a refund if you find and return the item within 6 months of payment.

Other Ways to Resolve a Fine, Block, or Hold

  • Return overdue loans: The Libraries waive most lost item replacement fees when the item is returned. Replacement fees for UW System items and Interlibrary Loan items are not eligible to be waived once we have paid the owning library for the item.
  • Overdue fine appeals: You can appeal overdue fines by filling out the appeal form. 
  • Lost item replacement: You may be able to buy a replacement copy and give it to the Libraries instead of paying the fee. See the Lost or Damaged Items page or contact Circulation Support for more information about the replacement process.

Fines and Fees

Overdue Fines

The library charges overdue fines for short-term (two-hour or three-day) reserve materials.

  • Reserve items are assessed a $2.00/hour fine with a maximum $50.00 for items with a two-hour loan period. They are assessed a $5/day fine with a maximum $50.00 for items with a three-day loan period
  • Use the Appeal of Library Fines form to appeal overdue fines.

Campus libraries have different policies regarding fines. Please be familiar with the loan policies of the library you use.

Lost or Damaged Item Replacement Fees

You will receive a lost item replacement fee if you have an item that is more than 28 days overdue. The Libraries also charge damaged item replacement fees for items that are damaged so much that they cannot be used. The minimum charge is $100.00. You cannot appeal replacement fees.

Library Account Blocks

Library staff may place a library block on your account if you have overdue or lost library materials. 

A block will prevent you from:

  • Requesting materials
  • Renewing loans
  • Borrowing new loans
  • Accessing databases and electronic library materials (in some cases)

Blocks for Recalled Materials

Items needed by library staff for course reserves or other services may be recalled.  

If you have a recalled item, you will receive an email with an updated due date. Return the item by the updated due date. Any overdue recalled item checked out to you will block you from borrowing other materials or accessing databases and electronic library materials.

Student Account Registration Holds

Library staff may place a registration hold on your student account if you have more than $50 in fines and fees.

A registration hold will prevent you from being able to register for classes.