LibAnswers

We know how important it is for you to get access to the resources you need. Although we have a generous library collection of over 1.25 million books and ebooks, plus thousands of electronic resources, there is high demand on our collections. It is, therefore, important for books to be returned on time. 

Our job is to help you get hold of the resources that you want for your studies and research, and to help ensure that everyone returns their books on time so that other people can borrow them.

Our aim is not to fine you, it is simply to get the books back so others can use them. With that in mind we do a number of things to help you avoid fines:

• Clear Due Date: We make it clear when a book is due back (via the receipt that is printed or emailed to you when you borrow a book). And when it has been recalled by the library. 

• Automatic Renewals:  We automatically renew standard loan books on your account, so you only need to return an item if it has been requested by another library user, recalled, or when you finish your studies at King's.

• Email Notifications: If an item has been requested by another library user, we will email you immediately so that you have time to return it and avoid overdue charges. 

• Easy Manual Renewals: You can manually renew your books online 24/7 via your library account (accessed via Library Search) or on our self-service Library machines. We advise you to regularly check your library account and stay up-to-date with the items that you have on loan.

• Convenient Returns: We have self-service machines in all our libraries, and ‘book bins’ outside most of the libraries so that even when we are closed you can drop your books off. We also offer postal returns for library users within the UK [link to FAQ].

•Mitigating Circumstances: Finally, our staff have discretion to waive fines where there are mitigating circumstances.

Our main focus is ensuring everyone has fair access to our collection, so if you ignore all of these things, we will fine you - and that includes staff too. 

However, if you don't return your overdue books within 7 weeks of the due date/time it will be treated as lost and we will charge you a lost item process fee. 

If you are ever unsure about anything to do with your library account, our library staff are always here to help. You can contact us online, via the phone or in person at one of our Information Points in our libraries. 

All of the money incurred through fines is reinvested in the libraries.