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Library Notices


All library users are responsible for keeping track of due dates and times for materials and equipment checked out from the University of Kansas Libraries.  The due dates and times should be reported to you when you check out library materials.  If you have questions or do not understand the information provided, please ask questions before you leave the service desk.

The KU Libraries send a variety of library notices as a courtesy.  Failure to receive a notice does not remove the borrower's obligation to return materials on time or to pay charges incurred.

The library uses email as the primary delivery method for all library notices.  It is the responsibility of each borrower to inform the Libraries of a change of address.  See Address Changes for information.

Types of notices sent include the following; click each type to see a definition and a list of borrower responsibilities:

Courtesy Due Notice
Fines and Fees Notice
Item Available Notice
Overdue Notice
Recall Notices

PRIVACY STATEMENT:  Information communicated in library notices, whether sent via email or on paper, is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed and contains confidential information.  If the person who receives the notice is not the intended recipient, that person is not authorized to read, retain, copy, disseminate, distribute, or use the notice or any part thereof.  The unintended recipient of a library notice should contact the Circulation Business Office immediately, via email to libfines@ku.edu or by calling 785.864.4715; then destroy the notice by deleting it from the computer or by shredding the paper notice.

Courtesy Due Notice

What is a Courtesy Due Notice?

A Courtesy Due Notice is sent prior to the due date for the items checked out. This notice allows library borrowers the opportunity to return or renew items before overdue or lost item charges are incurred.

For items checked out for 7, 14, or 21 days, the Courtesy Due Notice is sent 4 days before the due date.

For items with 6-week or 4-month loan periods, the Courtesy Due Notice is sent 7 days before the due date.

Courtesy Due Notices are not sent for items checked out for less than 7 days.  Library borrowers should be certain to understand the due date and time before leaving the service desk where the items were checked out.

Time due information for library materials and equipment may be reviewed via My Account.  Click here to log in to My Account or click here to review how the My Account service works.

What are borrower responsibilities after receiving a Courtesy Due Notice?

Items checked out for 2 weeks or less will incur overdue charges as soon as the due dates and times expire.

  • These items cannot be renewed online; the borrower will need to return to the library where the items were checked out in order to check them out again.
  • Eligible borrowers with less than $80 in library charges will be able to check them out again as long as other borrowers have not request the items.


Items with 6-week or 4-month loan periods must be renewed or returned within 30 days of the due date to avoid lost item replacement charges.

  • To renew eligible items, log on to My Account.
  • Eligible borrowers with less than $80 in library charges will be able to renew these items online up to five times (twice for resident borrowers).
  • After the maximum number of online renewals, the items must be returned to the library to be checked out again.
  • Recalled items cannot be renewed and will need to be returned by the due date to avoid overdue charges.
  • See Renewing KU Library Materials for additional information.


Items from the Recreational Reading collection are checked out for 3 weeks (21 days) and may be renewed once online. Log on to My Account to renew.

ILL (Interlibrary Loan) items borrowed from another library, regardless of the loan period, cannot be renewed online.


Eligible borrowers are currently enrolled students, currently employed faculty, staff, and affiliates, and individuals with a non-expired KU Library Borrower Card.

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Fines and Fees Notice

What is a Fines and Fees Notice?

A Fines and Fees Notice is sent when recall, overdue, damage, returned check, or lost item charges have been incurred.  This notice itemizes all charges accrued since the last notice and reports any previously unpaid balance without item details.

  • Cumulative outstanding charges of $80.00 or more result in suspended borrowing and request privileges.
  • When a borrower has $80.00 or more in library charges, it is no longer possible to renew items online.
  • Lost item replacement costs include 3 individual charges:  cost of the item, processing fee, and maximum overdue fine.
  • Charges due at the library may also be reviewed by logging in to My Account.  Charges do not appear in My Account until the item has been returned to the library, until the item has been declared lost, or after the charges have been transferred to the KU Bursar's Office for collection.

What are borrower responsibilities after receiving a Fines and Fees Notice?
  • If the notice includes lost item replacement charges, the amount due may be reduced if the library materials or equipment are returned in good condition within 30 days of the original library billing.
  • Items that have been declared lost can no longer be renewed online and must be returned to the library.  Eligible borrowers with less than $80.00 in library charges will be able to check out the items again as long as another borrower has not requested them.
  • If you wish to appeal library charges, you must contact the Circulation Business Office within 30 days of the date appearing on the Fines and Fees Notice.
  • Payments may be submitted to the Circulation Business Office.
  • Unpaid charges will be transferred to the University Bursar's Office for collection.

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Item Available Notice

What is an Item Available Notice?

The Item Available Notice is sent when a requested item becomes available for checkout and is on the Hold Shelf at the designated deliver to or pick up location.

What are borrower responsibilities after receiving an Item Available Notice?
  • Please come in to check out the items before the indicated expiration dates reported in the Item Available Notice.
  • The expiration date for most items will allow the borrower 10 days from the date on the notice to check out the items; however, there are some exceptions:
    • Most Videos and DVDs must be checked out within 5 days.
    • The Anschutz Library's External Checkout Laptops must be checked out within 3 days.
    • Interlibrary Loan items, designated ILL beside the title in the Item Available Notice, must be checked out by the Due Date if the Due Date in the item title is earlier than the Expiration Date listed in the notice.
    • If the ILL item title includes the letters NR, the item is not renewable; LUO indicates the item is available for in-library use only.


Items available may also be reviewed through My Account. Click here to log in to My Account or click here to review how My Account works.

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Overdue Notice

What is an Overdue Notice?

An Overdue Notice is sent the first day an item becomes overdue; a second Overdue Notice is sent again when an item becomes 14 days overdue.  The Overdue Notice reports the library items that are checked out to you that are now overdue and in some cases incurring overdue fines.

What are borrower responsibilities after receiving an Overdue Notice?

Items checked out for 2 weeks or less are now incurring overdue fines; the fines will be calculated and billed when the items are returned or declared lost at 30 days overdue.

  • Please return the items to the location from which they were checked out since these items cannot be renewed online.
  • Eligible borrowers with less than $80.00 in library charges will be able to check the items out again as long as other borrowers have not requested the items.
  • To avoid lost item charges, return the items within 30 days of the due date (10 days for equipment checked out of the library such as e-book readers).
  • Renewals by mail, telephone, or email are not accepted for KU-owned items.


Items checked out with loan periods of 3 weeks, 6 weeks, or 4 months must be renewed or returned within 30 days to avoid lost item charges.

  • Eligible borrowers with less than $80.00 in library charges will be able to renew items available for renewal up to 5 times (twice for Resident Borrowers).
  • To renew eligible items, go to My Account and log in as instructed.
  • After the maximum number of online renewals, the items must be returned to the library to be checked out again.
  • Recalled items cannot be renewed online, and if overdue are incurring an overdue fine; overdue fines will be calculated and billed when the items are returned.
  • Renewals by mail, telephone, or email are not accepted for KU-owned items.
  • See Renewing Library Materials for additional information.


If the borrower has questions or needs assistance, contact the Circulation Business Office.

ILL (Interlibrary Loan) items borrowed from another library, regardless of the loan period, cannot be renewed online.


For questions about Interlibrary Loan items borrowed from another library, email illborr@ku.edu or call 785.864.3960.

    Eligible borrowers are currently enrolled students, currently employed faculty, staff, and affiliates, and individuals with non-expired KU Library Borrower Cards.

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Recall Notices

What is a Recall Notice?

The Recall Notice means that an item has been requested by another borrower.  This notice is issued on the same day or the day after a recall is requested.

The Recall Overdue Notice is issued on the 15th day after the recall was first placed.  If the item was already overdue or soon to be due at the time the recall was placed, the Recall Overdue Notice will be issued earlier than the 15th day.

What are borrower responsibilities after receiving a Recall Notice or Recall Overdue Notice?
  • When a borrower receives a Recall Notice, the item must be returned by the new due date specified in the notice to avoid an overdue fine of $2.00 per day per recalled item.
  • The new due date will normally be 14 days following the date the recall was placed.
  • If the item is already overdue or soon to be due at the time the recall was placed, the recall due date will be the original due date.
  • If the first Recall Notice does not allow 14 days to return the item, please forward the Recall Notice to libfines@ku.edu or call the Circulation Business Office at 785.864.4715 to request additional information.
  • By the time the borrower receives the Recall Overdue Notice, overdue charges are being incurred.  Please return the item to a library location as soon as possible.


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