Stevens County Rural Library District

Overdue Library Materials & Charges

 The Stevens County Rural Library District circulates library materials to eligible borrowers and seeks the return of all overdue library materials borrowed from the library, as well as seeking payment of all charges relating to overdues or damages.  

 Overdue notices are mailed or emailed to library patrons when items are past due.  If no response is received, within 21 days of the due date, a bill is sent to the patron requesting payment for the item(s). 

 No library materials shall be borrowed by or renewed for any library patron who has items overdue more than 21 days or charges exceeding $6.00. 

 Patrons are charged a per item service charge when an overdue notice is generated.

 Library staff have the option of waiving or reducing charges if they determine that extenuating circumstances so warrant; e.g. an item is not checked in properly creating an improper service charge on a patron’s account.  Library managers and the Director review the amount waived each month.  Any excessive waiving or irregular practices are investigated.

Charges for overdues and lost items remain on patron’s accounts until cleared with the exception of the implementation of a new automation system (this occurred in 2001).  At that time, staff manually noted any patron delinquent accounts of more than $25.00 in the new system.   Delinquent accounts of less than $25.00 for an individual were eliminated. 

ADOPTED BY THE
STEVENS COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

March 20, 2003

Policy 0022