By Karen Rios/ reporter
Students should remember to return books to avoid late fees.
With the end of the semester approaching, students normally stress out with finals and projects, so much so they may forget to return library books or textbook rentals.
Library books are due May 12, and textbook rentals are due May 13.
“You can still check out books any time you want to check out books, just as long as they are returned May 12,” said Alex Potemkin, NE assistant director of library services.
Textbooks at the library are still available to check out but still have a two-hour time limit.
If library books are not returned by the due date, late fees will be charged to that student’s account. However, once books are returned in good condition, the late fees will be dismissed, Potemkin said.
“We don’t want to charge students money,” he said. “We just want our books back.”
If books are in bad condition, damaged beyond repair or go into “lost status,” which happens after a certain time period that the book isn’t returned, then a replacement cost for the item will go on a student’s account.
“Whatever the book cost, we will charge you that,” Potemkin said.
The library does send out a reminder of when the books are due, and they also send out an email when books go into “lost status.”
Once a fee is placed on a student’s account, a block will be on the student’s registration until the book or the money is collected. Business services collects the fee.
“It makes sense. That is what they do in high school. If you don’t pay, you can’t take your finals,” NE student Alex Lamastra said.
If students are blocked from registration and decide to pay the fee but know they have a book at home somewhere, they can return the book to the library in good condition for a refund, Potemkin said.
“Continue to use the library and return your books,” he said.
TCC bookstores work differently because the company Follett manages them.
When a book is rented, students typically use a credit card and sign a rental agreement, which states they will bring their books back by the check-in date.
The return date is printed on the rental receipt and is also printed on a sticker placed on the book. Follett will also send out email reminders with the due date.
“I didn’t know they sent out emails,” NE student Joe White said.
Many students aren’t aware of due dates.
“Um, on a Monday or Tuesday, I have no idea,” NE student Alexander Lauer said.
Follett charges both a non-return fee and processing fee if books are not returned on time.
“After all, if you rent something, you are traditionally expected to return it,” its website states. “The book will be yours, which means you have some options. If you want to keep it, feel free. Otherwise, you can always attempt to sell your book back for top dollar.”
Fees include book cost and additional costs for the bookstore having to find a replacement copy of the book.
Since the fees are charged to a credit card, there are no registration blocks, NE bookstore employee Lee Gonzales said.
All libraries should have drop boxes available for students to return books. If students rented a textbook from the bookstore, they must go in person to “check in” the book with a bookstore employee.
Gonzales warned students not to confuse their rented books with their library books.
“Don’t drop off textbook rentals into the library drop box,” he said.