Access & Borrowing

Overdue fines for returned books must be paid at the Bursar's Office. CUNY-wide fines are generally $0.25/day, with higher fees for overdue recalled ($1.00 per day) and reserve material ($0.10/minute). A $25 total in CUNY-wide fines blocks CUNY-wide library privileges. Long overdue replacement costs and fees must be paid at the lending library.

For a complete list of CUNY-wide loan, renewal, and fine schedules, see CUNY Libraries Circulation Policies. Graduate Center fine schedules are outlined in the Fines & Fees box below.

Long overdue books generate registration, transcript, and graduation blocks, which must be cleared at a borrower’s home library after making payment at the lending library. Failure to return CUNY library books is considered theft and may be enforced by police or by a collection agent.

Overdue materials:

• Circulating books: $0.25/day
• Recalled books: $1.00/day
• Media (DVD, CD, VHS): $1.20/day
• Reserve items: $0.10/minute
• Interlibrary loan items: $0.25/day

Lost items: 

• Item cost + $25 processing fee

The email notice schedule for CUNY loans:

• Immediately upon arrival – CLICS pick-up notice
• Immediately upon request by another borrower – Recall notice
• 3 days prior to due date – courtesy notice reminder to return or renew items coming due
• 7 days after due date – 1st overdue notice
• 21 days after due date – 2nd overdue notice, online renewal blocked
• 40 days after due date – 3rd overdue notice
• 50 days after due date – lost/replace notice, non-refundable $25 processing fee added to accumulated fines, book replacement price assessed ($45 minimum)
• All CUNY library privileges blocked at $25 CUNY-wide overdue fines
• 50+ days after due date – CUNY graduation, registration, transcripts blocked

Borrowers are informed of due dates at the point of loan. Missed overdue notices or lost date due slips do not mitigate borrower responsibility for applicable overdue fines.

Items may be rush recalled, with new earlier due dates, for use by course reserve. Rush recalls generate an immediate email notice of any new due date. Higher fines apply to overdue rush recalls. Recalls may be placed only by CUNY circulation staff.

Graduate Center Library Circulation Desk (212) 817-7083 or circ@gc.cuny.edu