Library materials are community property. As the steward of these materials, the Library vests in its customers the responsibility to return materials they borrow in usable condition.
Lost items are those that a customer cannot return.
Damaged items are those that are returned in non-usable condition.
Lost Items
If a customer loses an item belonging to the library, the customer will be billed the current list price for a replacement copy. If the item is no longer in print, the customer will be billed the default amount listed on the library’s Replacement Fee Schedule. The library generally will not accept a replacement copy in place of a lost item, but exceptions may be made if circumstances warrant.
The customer will also pay an additional processing fee to defray the library’s costs of deleting the lost item and/or purchasing a replacement. The amount of the processing fee will vary based upon the type of item that was lost. Processing fees for various material types are listed on the library’s replacement fee schedule.
Upon paying the replacement and processing fees associated with a lost item, the customer will be given a receipt for this payment upon request.
If a customer finds a lost item after paying the replacement and processing fees, the customer will be considered to own the item. No refunds will be made.
Any overdue fines that have accrued for a lost item will be waived when the customer pays the bill for a replacement.
Damaged Items
Library materials returned by customers in damaged condition will be evaluated by the library on a case-by-case basis. If the item is determined to be repairable with a readily obtainable replacement part, the customer will be charged a replacement fee based upon the type of part that was damaged. Replacement fees for damaged parts are listed on the library’s replacement fee schedule.
If the item is determined to be beyond repair, customers will be charged replacement and processing fees for the item in accordance with the same policies followed for lost items.