LibAnswers: Library answers

The Library Rules refer to loans and charges for lost items as follows:

6.4 Users are responsible for the care of books loaned to them and will be held accountable for loss of, or damage to, books issued in their name.

A user who fails to return a book when requested to do so by the Library will have their account blocked until the book is returned. If a book is deemed lost, the user will be liable for a £20 standard charge per lost item. This lost item rate has been approved by the Library Policy Committee.

The Library will endeavour to apply its lost items charges policy uniformly, equally and fairly. Charges may be waived or reduced where exceptional circumstances apply. In considering whether to cancel or reduce a charge, the Library will take into account factors such as substantiated illnesses or other compassionate circumstances.

If you wish to discuss your Library account block or charges, please get in touch with us. If you feel you have a case for not having to pay it, you can email library@lancaster.ac.uk to discuss it with a senior member of staff. If they feel that the block or charge was applied fairly in line with library policy but you are unhappy with this decision, you may lodge a formal appeal. This should be made in writing (either by email or letter) to Fiona Rhodes (Head of Library Space and Experience). You should explain your case in detail and any extenuating circumstances. An Appeals Committee comprising the Assistant Director or other authorised person and two other senior members of Library staff (but not including the member of staff who made the original decision) will normally consider this within seven days. You have a further right where you consider the Procedure adopted by the Appeals Committee to have been unfair for the matter to be heard by the University Dean.