Q. What does the different billing status mean on my library account? How can I appeal my library fines?

Electronic equipment

For information about fines and bills for equipment checked out from the Studios Technology Lending Desk (laptops, cameras, A/V equipment, etc.) please contact their offices at 540-231-9201 or techlending@vt.edu.

Blocked accounts

Patrons are blocked from checking out library materials if they exceed the fine limit of $20.00, have a recalled item that is overdue, or if their account is listed as billed or Bursar Billed.

Fine appeals

Patrons can appeal fines or any library materials on their account by completing a fine appeal form. Fines cannot be contested once they are 60 days old.

Billed status

Once an item becomes 45 days overdue, the library assumes the book is lost. At this point, a patron is billed the standard replacement fee of $75.00 and a $20.00 non-refundable processing fee for each item 45 days or more past due. Patrons' privileges are suspended and their library accounts blocked until the book is either returned or paid for. The library reserves the right to charge the actual replacement cost for each book.

Once a book is returned the $95.00 in replacement costs are reduced to the $20.00 non-refundable processing fee.

Bursar Billed status

When materials go 60 days overdue, your library account will be referred to Accounts Receivable at the Bursar's Office in the Student Services Building. They will hold the account for 60-90 days, during which finance charges may be added. After this time, your account will be sent to a collections department where a fee of 1/3 of your billed amount will be added to the total. Any payments of Bursar-referred fines must be paid at Accounts Receivable, NOT at the Library. Please see the Pay by Mail or In Person page on how to make Bursar Billed Payments. Library materials should still be returned to the Newman Services Desk for credit to your account.

Once materials are returned, an adjustment will be sent to Accounts Receivable for the replacement price (provided there is no damage to the book) minus the processing charges. Any remaining charges (such as processing fees) must be paid at Accounts Receivable. Again, the Bursar's office may impose a collection fee of 1/3 of the amount for past due bills.

Please notify the library after you have made a Bursar Billed payment, so that your library account can be updated.

Refunds

If you find and return a lost item that you have been charged for, you can receive a refund. Refunds for previously-paid-for materials will only be reimbursed within a six (6) months from the date of payment. The $20.00 processing fee charged by the Bursar's Office cannot be refunded.