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TWU's Norma Alloway Library goes fine-free

Making it easy to access, renew and return materials anytime

Starting May 1, 2021, Trinity Western University’s Norma Marion Alloway Library will be a fine-free library. Instead of charging a fine for returning library material after the due date, the library will simply ask users to return or renew overdue material before requesting or borrowing more material.

There will be a few exceptions:

  • Item requested by another user which become overdue, will be subject to a $1/day late fee.
  • There will be a late fee of $1/hour for overdue material borrowed from Course Reserves
  • If an item isn’t returned or renewed, the library will assume it’s lost and send a bill to the borrower.  If the lost item is returned, a partial refund will be issued.

The library’s new policy applies to all borrowers: students, TWU employees and community members.

As always, Alloway Library will send reminders about due dates and keep it easy to renew and return material anytime. The after-hours drop box at the front entry is always open and material can be renewed online, over the phone or in person.

In launching this new policy, Alloway Library joins Canadian peers at SFU, UBC, Thompson Rivers, Acadia, Dalhousie, University of King’s College and libraries around the world. These libraries recognize that fines don’t work as a means of encouraging timely return of material. They also recognize that fines create conflict points between staff and the community of learners we are trying to support.

Alloway Library staff also know that fines can impact busy scholars the most: the people who borrow stacks of books, including those who are studying, working and looking after family members - all at the same time. The new fine-free policy will keep print and media resources circulating among the people who need them, in a timely manner.

Outstanding fees incurred before May 1 still need to be paid. To encourage patrons to clear old fines, Alloway Library is donating all overdue fines collected between April 2 and May 3 to the Langley Foodbank. Payment can be made over the phone by calling the library at 604-513-2023 or in person at the library.

Visit twu.ca/library to find out more about Alloway Library’s services.


See also — Learning now open: How TWU’s Norma Marion Alloway Library innovates to meet the needs of current and future students:​
 
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About Trinity Western University

Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.

For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca