Q. What are the fines for returning a book late or losing a book or laptop?

Overdue and Lost Items

• Overdue Items

  A person is responsible for any items checked out to their account until they are returned in good condition to the Library’s book return boxes or Learning Commons Desk. The account holder is responsible whether courtesy reminder notices are received or not.

  • Replacement Charges and Registration Holds

    Sierra College Libraries do not charge late fines for overdue material. If library materials are not returned, they are considered lost, and a registration hold will be placed on your student account. (Library borrowing privileges may also be curtailed or suspended.) This means you will not be able to register for classes until the overdue item(s) is returned or replacement costs are paid.

    General Collection Books: are considered lost after being 30 days overdue. Replacement costs consist of the full price of the book.

    Reserve Materials or Anatomy Models (NCC only): If a reserve book is not returned in 2 weeks, the library has the right to charge the full price of the book.

    Laptops: Loss of a college laptop must be immediately reported to Student Tech Support. For thefts, please file a police report and bring a copy to the library.

    A replacement cost of $400 will be required if the laptop has not been returned by the end of the semester or has sustained significant damages resulting in a complete loss.

    DVDs: are considered lost after being 30 days overdue. Replacement costs consist of the full price of the DVD.

    Cameras: are considered lost after being 30 days overdue. Replacement cost is dependent upon the type of camera: DSLR: $275.00; SLR: $125.00

Students with a registration hold from the Library must return overdue item(s) or pay fees at the Cashier’s Window (Rocklin) or Admissions and Records (NCC) to remove the hold, to register for or drop classes. Contact library@sierracollege.edu to inquire about the hold on your account and a library staff member will follow up with you to answer your questions.

Fine payments made at the Cashier’s Office will not automatically remove a hold from your account. You must call (916) 660-7230 or go to the Learning Resource Center (Library) circulation desk to verify payment has been made. If you have a hold from a department other than the Learning Resource Center, you will need to contact that department directly.

Charges for Lost and Damaged Items

• Items that are returned damaged are billed immediately. Charges depend on the material type, the extent of damage, and whether the item can be repaired. If the item can be repaired and the damage was not intentional, we do not charge for repairs.
• Replacement charges for lost or damaged materials consist of the replacement cost of the item(s). Library Staff will work with students to determine reasonable replacement alternatives, if one exists. Below are guidelines for reasonable replacement, in lieu of being charged for the replacement cost:
• A replacement book can be purchased by the patron if the following criteria is met
  • Library Staff agrees to the replacement alternative
  • The copy must be the same edition lost by the patron, unless otherwise approved in advance by Library Staff
  • The replacement copy must be in new condition

Appeals and Claims Returned

• Patrons who question a replacement charge or claims to have returned an item they are being charged for should discuss options with the Library staff at the Learning Commons Desk. Unresolved issues are referred to the full-time Librarians, and if needed, the Dean of the Library & Learning Resources.
  • If any items are reported returned by the patron but not found by Library staff, the staff member will mark the item as “claims returned” in the system. A claims returned report is generated and staff searches the shelves a minimum of three separate occasions. During this time the patron will not lose borrowing privileges or be charged for replacement costs.

Payments and Refunds

• Only authorized library personnel can adjust or waive charges and delete messages from patron records. Student assistants are not authorized to make exceptions to circulation policy.
• Refunds are given for Sierra College library items returned in good condition, as long as the item has not already been replaced by the library.