TCC Library Mission & Policy

Overview

While the Library typically does not collect overdue fines, the Library reserves the right to do so under certain circumstances. If the Circulation Team Leader decides to impose fines, the following guidelines outline the fines and fees for missing or damaged equipment. 

Overdue Books and Media

If the Library chooses to assess and collect fines, fines are assessed at the rate of $0.25 per day accumulating to a maximum of $10. A two-week grace period is allowed once the due date is reached during which the fine accrues but is not charged. On the first day of the third week, fines begin with $1.50 per item. 

Reserve Material, Fines, and Fees

If the Library chooses to assess and collect fines, reserve items checked out on an hourly basis are assessed a fine of $0.50 for each hour late.  Reserve items checked out on a daily basis are assessed a fine of $1.00 per day for each day late. The maximum fine is $20 per item. There is no grace period for reserve material fines.  

Patrons are charged a $20 fine for removing Reserve Materials from the Library. If Reserve Materials are not returned within 24 hours, the patron is charged the full price of the item in addition to the $20 fine.  Once the patron pays for the item, said item becomes the property of the patron. 

Patrons who have incurred fines for removing Reserve Materials are barred from future use until the fines have been paid. At the discretion of Library Staff, patrons who take Reserve Materials from the Library may be barred from future use of Reserve Materials. 

Rules Applying to All Current Material

When the status of the item changes to damaged, long overdue, or lost, a replacement or repair cost is assessed. Faculty and staff are not charged fines.

Hotspot and Laptop Loan Program (HLLP) Fines and Fees

Hotspot and laptop devices are loaned to students through the HLLP. All damaged or lost equipment is charged to the responsible student. A fee of $20.00 is assessed for each device not returned by the due date for up to seven (7) days. After seven (7) days, the hotspot or laptop is considered lost and the cost to replace the device and associated components will be assessed to the student’s bursar account. If the student returns the device in good condition within 30 days of the due date, the replacement fee will be removed, however, the late fees totaling $140.00 may still apply. 

Any fines for a late/missing/damaged hotspot or laptop must be paid before a student will be allowed to renew checkout of the device or check out any other devices. Service is shut off for any hotspot device more than one day overdue. 

A charge of up to $140 will be applied for missing or damaged hotspot devices, and $15 for a missing or damaged charging cord. 

A charge of up to $635 will be applied for missing or damaged laptops, and $35 for a missing charging cord. 

Library and Bursar Holds

A library checkout hold may be applied to a patron’s library account to prevent patrons from checking out or renewing library materials until either the fines and fees are paid, or the overdue materials are returned in good condition. Late fees may still apply even if the items are returned. If the items are not returned or the fines/fees paid, the checkout hold remains on the patron’s library account for a five-year period. The checkout holds are released when the library purges the items from the catalog record after a five-year period has passed. The bursar will be notified to remove any fines or fees related to purged library materials from the student's account. 

If a student accumulates $75 or more in library fines or fees, these charges may be added to their TCC bursar account. This is in addition to any hold on their ability to check out library materials. Library fines or fees, combined with other bursar account charges, can trigger a registration hold if the total balance reaches $300. A registration hold, also called an enrollment hold, prevents students from registering for or changing classes until the until the balance is paid below the $300 threshold for the current semester charges, and any amount of charges from previous semesters are paid in full to the bursar. 

Students are responsible for all charges on their bursar account. If they do not arrange payment to the bursar, their debt may be sent to a collection agency. Students may also incur additional costs, including late fees, interest fees, collection costs, and attorney fees. Unpaid balances could also result in Oklahoma tax refunds being intercepted to cover the debt. 

Long Overdue and Lost Materials

The replacement cost for long overdue or lost library materials is charged to the patron.  If the material is no longer available for purchase in the same version or edition, the replacement is estimated based on the price of the latest edition or version.  If the replacement cost or the original cost of the material cannot be determined, a flat fee of $25 is charged to the patron. 
 
At the Library Director’s or designee’s discretion, a patron may replace the long overdue or lost book or media in the collection with material purchased by the patron. To extend this offer, the following conditions must be met:    

1. Material must be in new, unused condition  

2. Proof of ownership may be required  

3. Material must be sufficiently similar to the long overdue lost or damaged item to satisfy its status as a replacement  

Damaged Materials

Damaged books or media are assessed by the Library Director or designee upon return. A decision is made whether the material must be replaced or is still usable after minor repair. If the item needs to be replaced, the patron is notified about the charge and hold placed on their account. Damaged items should not be put back on the shelf. 

Discretionary Action

Conditions pertaining to the actual collection of fines and lost item charges may be subject to limited amendment or waiver at the discretion of the Library Dean, Library Director, Librarian, or Circulation Team Leader on each campus.  

Continued Damage of Library Property

When a patron removes or destroys library materials, it is a violation of a social contract, and it deprives others of the benefit of this commonly owned resource. Material is considered damaged if it is not returned in the same condition as when it was loaned. Any patron who returns damaged items more than three (3) times in a calendar year will have their privileges revoked permanently.