LibAnswers

Although we have a generous library collection of over 1.25 million books and ebooks, plus thousands of electronic resources, there is heavy demand on our stock and we need to ensure fair access.

Our job is to help you get hold of the books 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 for shared use.

With that in mind we do a number of things to help you avoid a fine:

• 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).

• We automatically renew standard loan books on your account and require them back only if an item is reserved by another library user, or when you finish your studies at King's.

• We offer you the flexibility to manually renew your books online 24/7 via your library account (Library Search) or on our self-service Library machines. These can all also be used to regularly check your library account and stay up-to-date with the items that you have on loan.

• 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.

• We have placed ‘book bins’ outside most of the libraries so that even when we are closed you can drop your books off. 

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

Nonetheless we really do want to get the books back for others to borrow, so if you ignore all of these things, we will fine you - and that includes staff too.

Hopefully you’ll be aware that Library staff are here to help so if you are ever unsure when a book is due back or how to renew just contact us by phone, online chat, email or in person.

All of the money incurred through fines has been reinvested in the libraries.