Changed policies at Galion Public Library: books and many other items now have
no overdue fines; long-overdue items and replacement costs can
block you from checking out; replacement fees for lost items
can be canceled if the items are returned within six months; existing overdue fines
are being wiped; and renewals are now
automatic, as long as nothing blocks them. Read on for details.
Why is Galion Public Library getting rid of most of the overdue fines?
Our goal is to make sure our patrons can enjoy all the books and services the library offers. Overdue fines can prevent some patrons, especially children, from checking out books and other materials.
However, there are a few items that will
still have fines associated with them:
- new movies, in both DVD and blu-ray format; this includes the 3-day movies upstairs and
also new juvenile movies downstairs
- videogames
- mobile wireless hotspots
- equipment, activity kits,
and (coming soon) board games
These items will all retain their fines (one dollar per day for movies, video games, most
equipment, activity kits, and board games; two dollars per day for mobile wireless hotspots).
What is the library going to do to get patrons to return borrowed materials?
The library will still impose fees for lost or damaged materials. If an item is not returned for 30 days past its due date, it automatically becomes lost, and the patron is charged a replacement fee.
Additionally, patrons who have materials out that are more than a week overdue, or $10 or more in fines and fees (including replacement cost for lost or damaged items) will have their library card blocked, which stops them from checking out any more physical items until the situation is resolved.
What happens if my card is blocked because of a long overdue item?
Patrons with blocked cards will not be able to check out any physical materials until the overdue items are returned or until the fines and fees for replacements and for missing or damaged items are paid. However, patrons with blocked cards can still check out
electronic books and can use the public computers and other library services.
The replacement costs for lost items can be taken off the account if the items are found and returned within 180 days
(which is about six months).
Does this mean my current overdue fines will be wiped away?
Yes. However, this is for overdue fines only. Fees that have accumulated due to
lost, damaged, or missing items will not be wiped away,
except when lost items are found and returned within 180 days.
What are auto-renewals
?
In addition to getting rid of most overdue fines, the Galion Public Library is
also implementing automatic renewals. This means that checked out items will be automatically
renewed on the due date, unless an item is needed for a hold or has reached its maximum number
of renewals (which in most cases is 3 times). If your account is set up for email or text
message notification, you may get an automatic notification when this happens.
When do these changes take effect?
We have stopped charging overdue fines on most borrowed items as of
2020 November 1st.
As noted above, this does not include new movies, video games,
wireless hotspots and other equipment, activity kits, or board games.
The other changes are being phased in over the course of
November of 2020.
![[stock photo of a movie projector]](/img/stock/sxc.hu/movie_projector_679477_51974165_sm.png)
For all ages. There will be a limit of 20 for each showing, so call the library to reserve your seat.
![[CLOSED]](/img/closed.png)
The library will be closed in observance of the holiday.
![[Logo of the Galion Public Library]](/img/hdrxparent.png){kind=small}
