Pay Fines and Manage Damaged Or Lost Items?

Fines

Overdue items may accrue fines, based on the item type and its owning library. Fines may be paid for with cash or check at the circulation desk, or with a debit/credit card online. After 42 days, overdue items become billed, and their replacement cost is added to the patron's account. 

Library cards may not be used if charges exist of $10.00 or more.

Lost Items

If an item is lost, the replacement value of the item will be added to the patron's account. Patrons with billed materials that are returned will have replacement charges removed and replaced with the maximum late fine. 

In some cases, patrons may be able to provide a new or like-new identical copy in lieu of fines. Ask a librarian for more information.

Refunds may be given to patrons who later locate lost items.

Damaged Items

Do not attempt to repair books at home. Library staff have special materials and training to do repair books properly.

Return damaged items to the circulation desk where library staff will assess the amount of the damage or will send the item back to its home library for assessment. In some cases, no fines will be assessed. In other cases, fines or the replacement cost of the item will be assessed. If the item is damaged beyond repair or is lost, the replacement value of the item will be added to the patron's account.

In some cases, patrons may be able to provide a new or like-new identical copy in lieu of fines. Ask a librarian for more information.

Note: The damage and replacement costs of some inter-library loans (all MelCat books, for example) are determined by the lending library, and FDL library staff do not have any say in this process. The MelCat program gives lending libraries the right to charge the default fee $100 for lost books and books that need to be replaced due to extensive damage. Not all libraries charge this fee, but they have the right to do so. Libraries may charge more than $100 for books with replacement costs that exceed $100.

Collections

If a patron accrues a large amount of fines and/or billed items, their account may be placed in collections, and their account information will be sent to our collection agency. They will receive alternating letter and phone calls reminding them to return materials when this occurs.

To clear a library account that is in collections, the owing patron must pay their fines and fees down to $0.00. Patrons with billed materials that are returned will have replacement charges removed and replaced with the maximum late fine. The collection block will be removed by the next business day.