[Publib] Overdue and Fining Policies

[Sue Kamm]

I am surprised that the library was so quick to turn your overdue notice to a collection agency.  In the library where I work, that drastic step is taken only when the fines and costs reach $50.  

Had you called my library with your concern, we would have noted on your record that you said you had returned it.  We would have made a concerted effort to locate the item.  I'm not sure how long our search goes on, but in my library we do acknowledge that we make mistakes.  

Your friendly neighborhood CyberGoddess and ALA Councilor at Large, 
Sue Kamm
Email: suekamm[at]mindspring.com
Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Dodgers Truest of the Blue, 2000
Visit my blog: http://suekamm.blogspot.com
"High fly ball hit into right field ... she is gone! In a year that seems so improbable, the impossible has happened!" - Vin Scully, calling Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run, Game 1, 1998 World Series


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mike Kelco 
To: publib at webjunction.org
Sent: 3/3/2008 7:14:17 PM 
Subject: [Publib] Overdue and Fining Policies


Recently I was the unfortunate recipient of an unsubstantiated overdue notice.  Surprised, I responded to the notice and informed the library that I returned the book, along with a few others that I checked out as well, a while ago.  The library received the other books but not the one on the overdue notice; they also responded that I should keep a lookout for the book as it may "turn-up around the house".  I ensured the employee that the item had been returned so I do not expect it to turn up any time soon.  A month and a half later, an envelope arrived in my mailbox from a collections agency requesting compensation for the item in question.  I again called the library and the librarian in charge of "collections" insisted that I was misinformed and the book was not returned to the library.  I refused to pay the sum (on the phone at least!) over principle but had every intention not to let this petty issue ($27.95) escalate to the point of an indelible print on my credit report.  About a week later I received a message on my voicemail that the library indeed found this item--it was not checked in and was mis-shelved.  It does not seem probable that this is a frequent occurrence, but I was wondering if similar situations have been encountered at your libraries as well;  also, to what lengths do you go (or would you go) before turning over an issue such as this to a 3rd party for resolution since nowadays, every point on one's credit score is a valuable possession and similar oversights do not incite patron trust or loyalty.


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