Overdue fines at Lamont and Widener Libraries double. starting Jan. 31, as part of a plan formulated by the University Library Council (ULC) that will impose a uniform loan and fine procedure on all the University's libraries.

"When one finds different policies, it's very confusing," said Harvard College Library Associate Librarian for Collections Jeffrey Horrell. "This was a way to simplify [the procedure] so that it is clear across the board."

Under the new regulations, the uniform fine at all libraries will be 50 cents per day on each 28-day loan, a $5 one-time fee per book on extended loans and a $2 per day fine on recalled material.

There will be only two types of loan periods: a 28-day loan, and an extended loan, where a borrower will have to return the book by one of two specified dates, Sept. 10 or Feb. 10, depending upon when the book is checked out.

Due to high demand and usage, Lamont, Hilles and Cabot Libraries will not offer extended loans. Reserve loans,

whereby professors may reserve certain books for short-term loans, will not be effected.

The 50 cent fine is double the previous fine at Widener and Lamont, which was 25 cents. The new loan period is the same as the current period at Lamont, and is only two days shorter than the current 30-day period offered by Widener.

"Frankly, I don't think it's that big of a deal," said William J. Adams '04. If a student can't manage to return a book on time, he said, "you deserve to pay the fine."