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UW–Madison Libraries Services during COVID–19

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Return Materials

COVID-19 Update Regarding Returning Materials

Books and media, including UW-System and Interlibrary Loan materials, should be returned to Memorial Library in the book return located on State Street. Click here for more detailed information about returning materials at the end of the semester.

  • UW-Madison and UW System book loans have been extended to October 15 for undergraduates and December 30 for graduate students and staff. Some Interlibrary Loan items and equipment may be due sooner. Check your library account for details.
  • If an item is due and you do not want to come to campus to return it (due to illness or other  circumstances), please keep it until you are able to safely return it. If you are charged late/lost item fees, we can remove them upon the item’s return. We understand that this is a special situation, and special considerations will be made.
  • Please do not return equipment (laptops, cameras, headphones, etc.) via the book returns. Any accrued late fees will be removed.
  • Items returned via the book return may remain on your account for some period of time as they wait to be processed, but fines will not be assessed.

This update supersedes other information on this page until future notice.

Campus library users may return UW-Madison library books, including those borrowed via Interlibrary Loan, to a campus library other than the one from which they were borrowed.  A list of Open Return libraries may be found here.

However, the following materials must  be returned directly to the library from which they were borrowed:

  • Reserve items
  • Items with loan periods of 7 days or less
  • Journals/periodicals (bound or unbound)
  • Fragile materials (items prone to damage if dropped in a return bin)

Returning Recalled Items

Recalled items should also be returned to the library from which they were borrowed in order to avoid a potential fine. If you have a recalled item and it is overdue, a block will be placed on your account.

Mailing Items

Items may be returned via postal service to the address below. It is recommended that items be insured before sending via USPS, as patrons are responsible for materials until they reach the library. Please note that item replacement fees begin at $100.00.

Memorial Library, Room 166
728 State Street
Madison, WI 53706