Replacing Lost Books: Home

Winter Hours
(Jan 6 - Feb 9)

Monday - Thursday:

11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed Fri - Sun & LAVC holidays

You may provide an acceptable replacement copy in lieu of the replacement fee for lost LAVC books. LAVC cannot accept replacement books or money for lost books owned by other LACCD libraries. Any book brought in as a potential replacement will be reviewed by a librarian to determine whether it is acceptable as a replacement or not. The Library reserves the right to refuse a book it believes cannot function as a useful replacement for the lost book for any reason. If a replacement book is considered acceptable the replacement fee will be removed from your account.

If you want to obtain a replacement book please be aware that all of the following minimum criteria must be met:

• Edition
  • The replacement book must be the same or a later edition than the lost one. Earlier editions are not acceptable. 
  • The replacement book must have the same publication year or later than the lost one.
  • If applicable, the replacement book must have the same translator and/or illustrator as the lost one.
• Condition
  • New or in near-new condition
  • The replacement book must be structurally sound with all pages intact.
  • The pages must not be yellowed or brittle.
  • No markings, underlining, or highlighting.
  • The book cannot have been part of another library's collection, even if withdrawn.
• Binding
  • It is preferable that the replacement book has a cloth binding (hardback). 
  • Mass-market paperbacks (approximately 7" x 4.25" or smaller) are NOT acceptable as replacements.

• Check the criteria listed above before obtaining a potential replacement copy.
• Bring the potential replacement copy to the LAVC Library Circulation Desk.
• Circulation Desk staff will check your library account and print out a copy of the catalog record for the lost book and fill out a copy of our replacement copy review form with your name, LACCD ID number, and the barcode for the lost book.
• You will take the potential replacement copy, the review form, and the print out of the catalog record to the Library Reference Desk.
• The Reference Librarian at the desk will review the book and determine if it is acceptable as a replacement. They will then sign and date the form and indicate whether the copy is approved as a replacement or not. You may have to wait if the Reference Librarian is helping other students or is away from the desk.
• If the book is approved, you'll take the form and the book back to the Circulation Desk where they will remove the lost-item replacement fee from your library account.
• If the book is not approved it will be returned to you and you will need to pay the lost-item replacement fee in order to borrow library materials.