TEXTBOOK RENTAL POLICY FOR STUDENTS (Rev. 5-08)

A. Undergraduate Students 

1. Textbook issue for undergraduate students begins at 8:00 A.M. one week before classes begin. 

2. A UW-River Falls I.D. card or a picture bearing driver's license is required to check out texts. 

3. Those students who have fines and/or overdues at Textbook Services (and Textbook Services negative service indicators on their Peoplesoft accounts) will be required to clear up these obligations before textbooks for the current semester are issued. 

4. Additional issue, for those classes using a large number of texts, normally begins at 8:00 A.M. on the fifth day of classes. 

5. Students must check out their own textbooks.  A student may not use another student's I.D. card to check out textbooks. 

6. The Textbook Services Manager will make special arrangements for textbook issue in cases where the student is not able to come to Textbook Services.

 

7. For most classes, textbook rental fees are paid as part of tuition. However, for online classes, the textbook rental fee is not charged as part of the tuition. In these cases a textbook rental fee will be charged and this fee is collected at the time text book(s) are checked out. The amount of the textbook rental fee is $12, $9, $6, or $4 per book, or $2 per book for less expensive paperbacks; the amount charged is based on the list price of the textbook(s) to be checked out for the online class.

 

8. All check out and return policies and procedures that apply to undergraduate students also apply to students in online classes.. See sections I. Book Issue, II.Book Returns, III.Penalties, etc for the corresponding policies.

B. Graduate Students 

1. Most textbooks for graduate students are available for purchase in the Falcon Shop in the University Center. 

2. Graduate students taking undergraduate and/or "slash" courses may rent texts from Textbook Services if the text is not available for purchase in the Falcon Shop, but only after all undergraduate requirements for the text have been met. 

3. A graduate rental fee ($12, $9, $6 or $4 per book, $2.00 per book for less expensive paperbacks) is collected at Textbook Services at the time the materials are checked out.  The amount charged is based on the list price of the textbook(s) to be checked out for graduate class(es).

4. All check out and return policies and procedures that apply to undergraduate students also apply to graduate students. See sections I. Book Issue, II.Book Returns, III.Penalties, etc for the corresponding policies.

A. Due Dates 

1. Textbooks/materials must be returned after each final, or at latest by closing time on the last day of finals of the semester in which they were checked out, unless prior arrangements have been made. Texts used in half (1/2) semester classes are due on Friday of the week in which the last scheduled meeting of the class took place.  Textbooks used in online classes are due within one week of the last day of the class as published in the Registrar's class schedule. Students who withdrawal from the University on eSIS or at the Registrar must return their textbooks on the date of their withdrawal unless prior arrangements have been made.

2. Fines are charged for textbooks/materials which are returned after closing time on the last day of finals (see part III). Fines are charged for texts/materials used in half semester classes that are not returned by closing time on Friday of the week in which the last scheduled meeting of the class took place. Fines are charged for textbooks/materials used in online classes that are not returned within one week of the last day of the class as published in the Registrar's class schedule.

          3.  Textbooks/materials used in sequence courses must be returned by closing time on the last day of finals of

the semester in which they were checked out, unless prior arrangements have been made.  Students who wish to keep texts/materials (including those used in sequence courses) for study over the semester break and over summer must pay an additional rental fee. 

4. Drops -- Textbooks/materials used in dropped courses must be returned immediately, even if the course is to be retaken the following semester, as someone else in the class may not have a book. A fine of $5 per book is charged for books from dropped classes that are not returned within four (4) calendar days of the date the class is dropped at the Registrar or on eSIS. Students who have added classes are not allowed to pick up their texts for added classes until all their texts from dropped classes have been returned. 

5. Incompletes -- At the end of Fall Semester, students with incompletes may retain the materials for those courses without fines or additional rental fees if the student is to be enrolled Spring Semester, but only IF arrangements to do so are made prior to closing time on the last day of finals. Arrangements will be made between the student and Textbook Services staff as to the new due date; the maximum extension for incompletes is one semester for Fall Semester incompletes and over the Summer for Spring Semester incompletes. At the end of Spring Semester & Summer Session, or upon Withdrawal from the University, all texts/materials, including texts for incompletes, must be returned or a rental fee paid. 

6. Checking out materials to non-students -- Anyone who is not a student, nor a faculty-staff member, may check out textbooks by paying a deposit. Deposits are for the full, list price of the text and will be refunded, except for a $6 per item service charge, if the material is returned by the due date ( which is set by the Textbook Services Managter and is a maximum of six months from the day the material is checked out). A fine (see fine schedule in part III), in addition to the $6 service charge, will be charged for texts/materials which are not returned by the due date.  The Textbook Services Manager may elect not to refund the deposit if the text is overdue and has been discontinued, or if a replacement copy has been purchased.

B. Returning Texts 

1. Textbooks/materials are to be returned at Textbook Services, checked in and returned to the main stacks. They must not be left unattended on the counters, or in the hallway. 

2. Texts/materials may be left in the Textbook Services inside bookdrop, located in the wall by the main entrance to Textbook Services, when Textbook Services is closed, except during finals week. Special instructions for limited use of the textbook inside bookdrop during finals week are posted at the textbook inside bookdrop during finals. Textbooks may be left in the Textbook Services outside bookdrop when Hagestad Hall is closed, except during finals week.  Fines are charged for unauthorized used of the bookdrops during finals week.

3. An I.D. card is not required for textbook return. 

4. The return of one student's textbook(s) by another person is permitted, however, the student who checked the materials out originally is ultimately responsible for the return of the materials, and for payment if they are lost, overdue, or damaged.

A.  Fines & Other Charges

1.  Materials which were due and not returned by closing time on the last day of finals, or by their due date, will be fined at the following rates:

      $2 for the first book/item and $1 for each additional book/item returned within ten (10) calendar days after 

      the due date.

      $4 for the first book/item and $2 for each additional book/item returned after 10 days have elapsed, but before the date classes for the next semester begin.

      $6 for the first book/item and $4 for each additional book/item returned on or after the date classes for the next semester begin, or returned on or after an overdue notice has been prepared.

              Textbooks which are kept beyond the due date and for which it is necessary to purchase replacement copies

to meet enrollment for a subsequent semester will not be accepted for return, but must be paid for a full, list price.

2.  Textbooks/materials returned in the Textbook Services outside bookdrop during finals week, and textbooks returned in  the Textbook Services inside bookdrop during finals week (except during the special times posted at the Textbook Services inside book drop) will incur a fine of $2.00 per item, or the existing overdue obligation--whichever is greater. Textbooks/materials left unattended on the counters or in the hallway, textbooks/materials abandoned in dorm rooms or elsewhere, and texts/materials returned to another library will incur a fine of $2.00 per item, or the existing overdue obligation--whichever is greater.

3.   A fine of $5 per textbook is charged for textbooks from dropped classes which are returned more than four (4) calendar days after the class has been dropped on eSIS or at the Registrar.

4.  There is a $4.00 fine for removal or mutilation of textbook barcodes. 

5.  Fines for overdue materials will be waived in cases where sickness or family emergency is involved provided a notification of absence has been received from the office of the Dean of Students, or when proper documentation is provided.

 

6. Textbooks which are kept beyond the due date and for which it is necessary to purchase replacement copies to meet enrollment for a subsequent semester will not be accepted for return, but must be paid for a full, list price.

7.  A fine of $1 per textbook is charged for textbooks which are returned to the wrong location in the main textbook stacks.

 

8. A charge of $1 per overdue/fine notice, which is used to cover the cost of preparing and mailing the overdue/fine notice, is added added to fines, which have been assessed but not paid, by the time overdue/fine notices are prepared.

 

B. Lost, Stolen and Damaged Texts 

1. Materials that are lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair must be paid for at full, list price. 

2. Refunds will be given, upon return, for lost materials costing $6.00 or more, that are still current (i.e. have not been discontinued).  A $6.00 per item service charge will be subtracted from refunds given on lost materials. 

3. Students who return materials which are damaged, but still usable, will be charged fines which are based on the original cost of the material, the extent of the damage, the age of the material, and on the approximate cost of repair. Materials which are damaged and no longer usable must be paid for at full list price.

4.  There is a 1 week period at the beginning of each semester during which students may inspect their textbooks for damage and report any problems to Textbook Services.  After this one week period the student may be held responsible for damage to textbooks at the discretion of the Textbook Services Manager.

5.  There is a 2 week period at the beginning of each semester during which students may verify that CDs and disks work and report damage or problems to Textbook Services.  After this two week inspection period, the student may be held responsible for missing and damaged CDs and disks at the discretion of the Textbook Services Manager.

6. Students may exchange a privately owned text, CD or disk for a lost or damaged text, CD or disk at the discretion of the Textbook Services Manager only.

C. Disputes 

1. All disputes involving textbook return, damage, overdues, fines, lost or stolen texts, etc. will be written up on a standard "Problems" form. Problems of this type may also be presented by the student involved, in person, directly to the Textbook Services Manager. 

2. Disputes written up on the "Problems Form" will be reviewed and acted on by the Textbook Services Manager and the student notified of the results. Disputes which are not resolved through this process may be referred to the Library Director.

IV. TEXTBOOK PURCHASE 

A. Current Texts/Materials 

1.  Current texts/materials may be purchased at a discount by currently enrolled students at any time except for the months of August, September, December and January.  A list of textbooks currently used in classes taught at UW-River Falls, updated once each semester, is available online.

2. Discounted prices charged during the sales periods are calculated based on the price paid for the text the last time copies of the text were purchased and the length of time the text has been in use.  Copies of the material which have been used 0-2 years are discounted 20%; copies used over 2 years are discounted 40%. The minimum price charged for any text is $5.

3. Currently enrolled students who wish to purchase current textbooks during the months of August, September, December or January may still purchase the texts, but at full list price. 

4.  Graduate students may purchase only those texts that they have currently checked out from Textbook Services.

B. Discontinued Texts/Materials 

1. Discontinued texts/materials, i.e. texts/materials that were formerly used in classes, but have been replaced by a later edition or different text, are available for sale each semester and during finals week. These texts are on display at Textbook Services. Anyone may buy them.  A list of discontinued textbooks, updated once each semester, is available online. Discontinued texts must be purchased in person at Textbook Services.

2. Prices charged for discontinued texts are minimal, ranging from 25 cents per copy to several dollars per copy. 

V. OTHER 

A.  Financial Obligations

1. Students whose total financial obligation meets or exceeds criteria established by the University will have a negative service indicator placed on their record in PeopleSoft which will remain until the obligation has been completely taken care of. A negative service indicator may result in withholding of permission to registration, of grades and transcripts, until the obligation is taken care of.

2. Long overdue accounts may be referred to a Collection Agency in accordance with University policy. 

       3.  Overdue notices are prepared and sent once each semester, approximately 45 days into the semester.  Second

notices are sent, if necessary, for obligations that have not been cleared within 6 months.        

B. Highlighting/Marking Materials, Student Responsibility, Cooperation 

1. Highlighting or marking materials is not allowed, unless the student plans to purchase the material, as this practice makes it difficult for the student who uses the material next. 

2. Each student is responsible for the materials he or she checks out and must adhere to all policies regarding book return, etc., stated above, to insure that the rights and needs of other students are not compromised and to insure the proper management of the system. 

3. If you have questions about policy relating to your particular situation, consult the Textbook Services Manager only. Do not ask other students or faculty members. The Textbook Services phone number is (715) 425-3106. 

Thanks, and best wishes from your Textbook Services Staff.