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Borrow and Request Books

This provides information on who can borrow items from the library and how to do it.
Need to return library books/items?
Mt Albert Campus: Items can be returned at B180 (Te Puna) at the Ask Me Desk, through the return box at the entrance by Breaktime/Subway, or through the return box at the entrance by Student Central.
Waitākere campus: Items can be returned through the Waitākere Public Library returns slot as well as within the Unitec Library.

Fines and Fees

Fines are charged on overdue high demand items and overdue recalled items. Fines begin to accumulate as soon as items are due. Unpaid fines of more than $5 may result in a suspended library account. Unpaid fines may prevent you receiving your graduation certificate or prevent re-enrolment.

Since Feb 2019 there are no overdue fines for 'general loan items' unless the item is recalled by another library user. 'General loan items' are on the open shelves in each of our Unitec Library locations.

Payment of fines and fees

Payments can be made by the following 3 methods:

Credit/Debit card
** PREFERRED METHOD **

Current students can pay online via Make a Payment in your student portal account.

  1. Log into Student Portal
  2. Go to My Tools > Make a payment
  3. Under Payment for, select Pay for library fines
  4. Enter the amount you wish to pay and click Continue to Payment
  5. Fill in your card details and click Pay Now
  6. You will receive a confirmation email of payment.

Watch short video
 
Eftpos Available at all Unitec libraries.
Internet banking
Account name: Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Unitec Bank account number: 03 - 0826 - 0168942 - 000  ** Note: New account number since 22 Nov 2021
Particulars*: Your Unitec ID Number (eg 1406568 ) or username (eg millej15)
Code*: 198000 90LY

Reference*:

 UNITEC and the first five characters of your last name. (The field is limited to 12 characters.)
If you pay by internet banking there will be delay of several days before your payment shows on your Library record.
NOTE: Cash is no longer accepted. Current students can pay online via Make a Payment in your student portal account.

Overdue fine amounts

Reason for fine Fine per item Maximum fine
Overdue general loan items No fine No fine
Overdue 2 hour short loans - course reading items on short loan / desk copy items 50 cents per HOUR $30.00
Overdue 24 hour short loans * $4.00 per day $30.00
Overdue 3 day short loans * $4.00 per day $30.00
Overdue recalled items - ie items that another user has requested to borrow $1.00 per day $30.00
Overdue interloan items 20 cents per day $20.00

* For short loan items the fine is calculated from the time overdue and increases for each day following. For example, an item returned 20 hours late will incur an $8 fine - $4 for the overdue hours on the day it was due, plus $4 for overdue hours on the day it was returned, irrespective of the time the item was orginally issued.

Lost item fines

Once an item is overdue for 2 weeks, the library considers it lost and the borrower will incur a replacement cost charge. If the item is returned the replacement cost is waived. Overdue fines may then be applied according to the Overdue fine amounts table above.

How to avoid fines
  • Know when your loaned items are due back.
  • Use My Library Account to keep track of your library loans.
  • Take an issue receipt if using the self-check machine.
  • Bring recalled items back by date specified in recall notice - these attract large fines.
  • Read your email reminders from the Library - overdue & recall notices are always sent to the ‘preferred’ email address in your Unitec record. Update your email address in the Unitec MyPortal, Student Self-Service feature.
  • Never lend items you have borrowed to anyone else. Any fines or fees incurred on these items are still your responsibility.
  • Don't ask others to return items for you. You are liable for all fines and fees incurred on borrowed items.

What to do if you have an overdue item

Difficulties returning item
Personal problems like illness can sometimes prevent you from returning items on time. If this happens to you contact the Library and Information Team leader at your library branch and request special consideration. You may be required to provide documentary evidence such as a medical certificate.

Problems paying fines

If you have a large fine, and/or will face hardship paying your fines and fees off in one payment please contact a library staff member at the desk or via phone or email, to arrange a payment plan. If your hardship is too great to pay the fine please contact the Student Support team. A Student Support Advisor can recommend to the Manager Resources to waive the fine in special circumstances.

Refunds

If you paid for a lost item and then found and returned it to the library, you may be entitled to a refund.  Please email library@unitec.ac.nz with your name and student ID number.

Procedure on late returns and fines

  • Items you borrow are due back when you complete your time at Unitec or by the maximum loan length. The library system tries to give you the maximum loan length according to the rules in the table above. \
  • A list of all items borrowed is sent to your ‘preferred email address’ monthly and is also available under ‘My Account’ when you log in to LibrarySearch.
  • You will also be emailed three days before a borrowed item is due. These items will not be renewable. 
  • You are responsible for returning items by the due date, and overdue notices are only sent as a courtesy.

 

  • Once a non-general item becomes overdue, fines will increase until the item is back at the library and discharged by library staff.
  • If books are not returned within two weeks of the final due date, they will be marked lost, and the replacement cost will be added to your account.
  • If this debt remains outstanding for three months, the debt may be forwarded to our debt collector, Baycorp.

 

  • You may be blocked from borrowing until overdue items are returned and fines/fees paid.
  • Large fines, unpaid fees or overdue items may also limit your access to Unitec and other institutions.
  • There are serious consequences if you have large fines, outstanding fees or very overdue items. It can affect your enrolment and access to services (see section 4.9. of the Library Procedure).
  • For guidance on resolving problems with fines, see the information above.