Fines and Fees

Overdue Fines

Late fees are assessed to encourage prompt return of library materials and are imposed for material returned after the due date. Borrowers who keep items beyond the time allotted to them are denying their fellow scholars access to these materials. If you have questions about your late fees please email borrowing@brandeis.edu

Rates of Accrual

To check the accrual rate of overdue fines, please view the table below. For laptop and equipment fees, visit the Laptops and Equipment page.

Material Type Overdue Fine Amount Maximum Overdue Fines
Main Library Stacks No overdue fines No overdue fines
Media (DVDs, CDs, VHSs) No overdue fines No overdue fines
Recreational Reading and Juvenile Literature No overdue fines No overdue fines
Journals, periodicals, non-circulating materials No overdue fines No overdue fines
Course Reserves $2 per hour $100
Course Reserve Media $2 per hour $100
Carrels and Lockers $0.25 per day $10

Lost Fees and Replacements

  • All lost items are subject to a $100 replacement fee. Items are declared lost automatically after reaching 60 days overdue.
  • If the value of the lost item is more than $100 the library reserves the right to increase the replacement fee.
  • Borrowers may purchase a replacement copy of the lost item in lieu of paying the replacement fee. Replacement copies must be the same edition or newer and must be in good condition. The replacement cannot be a previous library book. Before purchasing a replacement item, contact the Information and Borrowing Desk at borrowing@brandeis.edu to ensure you purchase the correct item.
  • Please contact interlibrary loan staff before purchasing a replacement interlibrary loan item. Some lending libraries will not accept replacement items.

Paying Library Fines and Fees

Fees can be paid in person by credit card, check, or with a donation of food at the Information & Borrowing on Goldfarb level 1. Checks should be made out to the Brandeis University Library and can be mailed to the following address if paying from afar:

Information & Borrowing Desk
Brandeis Library
MS 045, Brandeis University
Waltham, MA 02454-9110

For students, all outstanding library fine and fees will be billed to the student's Sage account before graduation.