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Borrowing, renewals and reservations

About borrowing and returning books and laptops. Includes information about renewals, reserving books, fines, lost items and checking your library account.

About library fines

  • Fines are charged to encourage the prompt return of items so that other library users can access the materials that they need.
  • My Library Account is available 24/7 to check and renew your loans.
  • Most books and other items will be issued for 2 weeks and then renewed automatically on a weekly basis unless reserved by another customer. If you do not return items on time then you will be fined. Once an item is more than 7 days overdue you will be unable to borrow any more items until you have returned it.
  • You will be unable to borrow items if you have a fine of £10 or more on your library account.
  • You may pay charges:
    • online via My Library Account with a debit/credit card (minimum £1 online);
    • at the Library help desk with debit/credit card or Met Card;
    • by telephone on 0161 247 6106 using a debit/credit card.
  • If you have been absent from University due to illness or other reasons out of your control, we may be able to waive fines.  You will need to supply evidence such as confirmation from your tutor.  Please contact us at library@mmu.ac.uk.

Fine rates

Fines are charged at the following rates and apply to all Library users. Fines will accrue all year round on overdue items (during term time and vacation, except Christmas vacation*).

Loan period Fine per item Maximum fine
Two Week Loans 50p per item per day £10 per item
Laptop Loans 50p per laptop per day £10 per laptop
Inter-Library Loans 50p per item per day £30 per item
NB: a British Library charge of at least £160.10 plus VAT may also be applicable for overdue ILL items.

More information about fines

Once you have borrowed library books and other items they will be renewed automatically on a rolling weekly basis unless they are reserved, or your library account has expired. This process continues throughout the year, including vacations, reading weeks and any other periods when you may be absent from University. This is to ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to borrow library items, as well as giving a reasonable expectation that items that you reserve will be returned promptly.

*We do not charge fines during weekends or Bank Holidays. We will also not charge fines during the week in the Christmas vacation when the University is closed, and for the first week of January. In 2019-20 this will be Monday 23rd December 2019 - Friday 3rd January 2019 inclusive.  Fines will apply at all other times.