Policy on demerit points and fees
Library Policy No 7
The Library encourages the fair and equitable use of Library materials. To achieve this objective, the Library has a demerit points and Library fees policy to encourage the return of borrowed items on time by all clients.
The Schedule of Library fees and applicable Demerit points rates is published on the Library website – see http://www.library.unisa.edu.au/services/borrowing/default.asp
1. Demerit points
Demerit points accrue on all overdue items. Overdue High Demand items attract higher demerits. The rate at which overdue items are awarded demerit points is determined from time to time by the University Librarian.
- Borrowing privileges will be suspended for a specified period where a borrower has accumulated a specified total number of demerit points. Details are published on the Library website.
- At the end of each calendar year borrowers who have no outstanding library fees and who are not currently suspended will have their accumulated Demerit Points deleted.
2. Fees
A Lost item replacement fee is applied when an invoice is raised.
The fee is determined by the University Librarian and is based on the
average item cost. This fee is ‘forgiven’ on return of the item in sound
condition.
A Non refundable invoice processing fee is applied for each item returned
after an invoice is generated.
The applicable lost item replacement and invoice processing fees are published
on the Library website.
Borrowers are blocked from borrowing once they accrue $120 or more in Library fees. A first payment towards the cost of a lost item, when an invoice has been raised, can be the invoice processing fee of $20.
3. Bad Financial Standing (BFS) & Recovery of Outstanding Fees
Bad Financial Standing (BFS) is automatically applied to student’s records for library fees and charges overdue for payment.
The Library may apply to the University for salary deductions to recover library fees owed by staff under the provisions of the Academic and Professional Collective Staff Agreement (2006)
The Library may initiate collection proceedings to recover unpaid library fees and further fees may be charged by the debt collection company.
4. Claims Return
Borrowers who claim to have returned item/s to the Library must complete a ‘Claim Return’ application.
Unsuccessful Claims Return applications submitted after receipt of an invoice will incur the item invoice processing fee and a lost item replacement fee.
5. Appeals
- Invoice processing fees may be waived for students and staff in compelling extenuating circumstances.
- Demerit point reduction and/or removal of blocks for students and staff of the University may be approved in compelling extenuating circumstances.
- Library BFS may be temporarily removed to allow students to re-enrol (usually for a period of 2 weeks) during re-enrolment periods
For community Borrowers, including all affiliates with Community Borrower status, invoice processing fees will not be waived with the exception of the following:
- System error as confirmed by Library IT Services and/or an Access and Enquiry Librarian or nominee
- Claims return when reported before an invoice is generated
- Claims return when the item/s are located in the Library ( first occurrence only)
Payment of fees
Staff and students of the University may choose to pay in multiple or single invoice fee payments to clear their debt over time. Community, Alumni and Reciprocal Borrowers must pay all owed amounts in full before borrowing blocks and/or membership rights are restored
