Borrowing

Eligibility/Responsibilities

  • Any library user holding a valid Brock University photo ID card, alumni card, Special Borrowers’ card, or a valid card from a Canadian University library are welcome to borrow.
  • Library online access and borrowing privileges by user type.
  • Library users are responsible for any material signed out in their names and will be charged overdue fines (where applicable) and replacement costs for lost or damaged items.

Loan Periods and Item Limits by User Type

Type of MaterialLoan PeriodMaximumRenewals
Books120 days500Unlimited
Badger Books, Entiohahathe’te Knowledge Den Collection, Children’s and Young Adult Books, Curriculum Resource Collection28 days1
Course readings on short-term loan (Reserves)3, 24, or 48 hours or 1-week4
Ask Us desk Equipment Collection (calculators, whiteboard kits, etc.)4 hours
Ask Us desk Games and Recreation Collection (craft kits, pencil crayons, board games, etc.)3 days
Map, Data & GIS Library materials7 days / 14 days / in MDG Library use only
CDs, DVDs, LPs & VHS tapes28 days
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) NaturePlus passes7 days1
Type of MaterialLoan PeriodMaximumRenewals
Type of Material14 days204
Badger Books, Entiohahathe’te Knowledge Den Collection, Children’s and Young Adult Books, Curriculum Resource Collection14 days1
Ask Us desk Games and Recreation Collection (craft kits, pencil crayons, board games, etc.)3 days
CDs, DVDs, LPs & VHS tapes14 days
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) NaturePlus passes7 days1
Type of MaterialLoan PeriodMaximumRenewals
Books14 days204
Badger Books, Entiohahathe’te Knowledge Den Collection, Children’s and Young Adult Books, Curriculum Resource Collection14 days1
Ask Us desk Games and Recreation Collection (craft kits, pencil crayons, board games, etc.)3 days
CDs, DVDs, LPs & VHS tapes14 days
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) NaturePlus passes7 days1

Overdue Fines Information

Avoid incurring fines by signing-in to Omni to view the list of items you have borrowed and their due dates.

ItemFine
Overdue CDs, DVDs, Interlibrary Loan materials$0.50 per day per item
Overdue course readings on short-term loan (Reserves) and equipment$1.50 per hour per item
3 hour loan items will be billed for replacement after 48 hours. 24 hour loan items will be billed for replacement after 5 days. 48 hour items will be billed for replacement after 7 days. 7 day loan items will be billed for replacement after 15 days.
Overdue items recalled for use as course readings$2.00 per day per item
Overdue recalled Interlibrary Loan materials$25.00 up to 15 days overdue
Overdue board gamesno overdue fines, but will be billed for replacement after 10 days
Overdue NPCA NaturePlus Passes$5.00 per day up to $50 maximum
Lost / damaged book / curriculum materials$125 default replacement charge
Lost / damaged CDs & DVDsCost of item plus a $15.00 non-refundable processing fee
Lost whiteboard kit$12.00 replacement charge
Lost locker key$25.00 replacement charge
Lost / damaged miscellaneous cables $25.00 per item
Lost / damaged calculator$20.00
Lost / damaged video camera $550.00
Lost Interlibrary Loan itemFlat rate replacement cost of $75.00, plus a $50.00 non-refundable processing fee

Borrowing privileges for Brock University undergraduate and graduate students are suspended when fines are $20.00 or more. On a monthly basis, these fines will be automatically transferred to the student’s financial account. The Library will notify the student before this  transfer is made.

Borrowing privileges are suspended for fines of $20.00 or more. Privileges will be reinstated when outstanding fines are paid.

If a library item is lost, missing, stolen or damaged, the borrower will receive an “Invoice for Lost Library Material” and will be assessed a $125 default replacement charge. The lending Library will determine whether a damaged item is beyond repair.

Pay your library fines:

  • in person by debit card, credit card, or cheque at the Ask Us Desk in the James A. Gibson Library or,
  • by sending a cheque payable to Brock University to the address below.  Please be sure to note your student ID# on the cheque.

Access Services
James A. Gibson Library
Brock University
1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way
St Catharines, ON L2S 3A1

Please Note: The Library cannot accept payment for fines transferred to Student Accounts & Financial Aid.

If you want to appeal a library fine, please complete this form. The request will be reviewed, and an email response will be sent within five (5) working days.

  • Under the James A. Gibson Library loan policies, borrowers may appeal fines and charges.
    Please note that the following are NOT acceptable reasons for appealing library fines.
    • Failing to receive reminder notices, either electronically or by mail
    • Failing to note due dates
    • Failing to renew on time
    • Due dates which fall while the user is on vacation, or out of the local area
    • Lack of knowledge of library policies.

    To appeal on other grounds, please provide specific details which will substantiate your case. When providing justification for an appeal, it is important to provide detailed information, i.e. book title(s), dates and reasons. Without this detail, it could be difficult to adjudicate your appeal.

    You will normally receive a response within five (5) working days.

    Information gathered is in accordance with the James A. Gibson Library's Privacy and Protection of Information Policy.

  • Please provide details outlining your reason for appealing library fees.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Borrowing From Other Universities

Undergraduate students may borrow books in person from other Ontario university libraries (Direct Borrowing), with the exception of the University of Toronto. A valid Brock University ID card is required, and borrowers may be required to show additional picture identification / sign-in to the Brock portal. Books may be returned to any Omni Library or to the Ask Us Desk at the James A. Gibson Library.

Graduate students, faculty and staff may borrow books directly from all Ontario university libraries. Arrangements also exist for borrowing from out-of-province universities (Atlantic, Quebec, Prairie and Pacific). See Canadian Universities Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement for more information.

Questions?

Contact us in-person at the Ask Us Desk, via telephone at 905-688-5550 x4583, or via email at [email protected]