What are the fines and fees in Alma?
In Alma, both fines and fees are types of patron charges, but they serve different purposes:
- Fines are penalties for breaking library policies (e.g., returning items late). They usually accrue over time.
- Fees are flat charges for specific events or services (e.g., replacing a lost or damaged item).
Below is a list of common fines and fees, with descriptions and examples:
| Name |
Description |
Possible Values |
| Lost Item Fine |
How much a patron owes for each item they lost. This is a penalty for not returning the item.
This fine is charged in addition to the Lost Item Replacement Fee. |
None (i.e., $0)
$100
$299 |
| Lost Item Replacement Fee |
How much a patron owes for each item they lost. This represents how much it would cost the library to replace the item.
This fee is charged in addition to the Lost Item Fine. |
None (i.e., $0 or the "Replacement cost" in the item)
$0
$150
$2,020 |
| Lost Item Replacement Fee Refund Ratio |
How much of the Lost Item Replacement Fee is refunded if the item is returned. This is not a fee itself, but a setting that controls the refund behavior. |
0% (No portion of the replacement fee is refunded)
100% (Full refund of the replacement fee) |
| Overdue Fine |
How much a patron owes for each item they returned late |
None (i.e., no cap on fines)
10¢ per minute
$20 per hour
$5 per day |
| Recalled Overdue Fine |
How much a patron owes for each recalled item they returned late |
None (i.e., $0)
25¢ per day
$5 per day |
| Maximum Fine |
The total amount of money a patron can owe for each item they returned late. This functions as a limit on accrued overdue fines. |
None (i.e., $0)
$45
$720 |
