Fines & Fees Policy
Most library services are provided free of charge, 
   but we do charge for a few things.
   If there are fines or fees on your account, you 
   can pay them at the main desk.
   In order to check out materials, 
   the fines on your account must not exceed $10.
   Fines may be paid by cash or personal check.
   We do not accept credit cards.
Overdue Fines
     Overdue items are fined at a rate of $2 per day for mobile hotspots,
     $1 per item per day for new videos, activity kits, and board games.
     Most other materials do not have per-day overdue fines for late returns;
     however, all library materials are subject to lost-item charges
     (
see below).
     Days that the library is not open (e.g., Sundays) do not count toward
     the number of days for your fines.   Items returned in the book drop
     overnight will count as having been returned the previous
     evening, even if they are returned after midnight; but once
     we open in the morning and empty the drop, it is a new day.
     Overdue fines are non-refundable.
   
Mobile Hotspot Improper Return Fee
There is a $5 fee for improperly returning a mobile hotspot
     (e.g., putting it in the book drop).  To avoid this fee, return mobile
     hotspots directly to a staff member at the main desk.
Damage Fees
     When an item is returned in poor condition, damage fees
     may be assessed, depending on circumstances.  Damage is
     evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Fees are not normally charged
     for ordinary wear (e.g., book bindings that come apart after
     repeated circulation) or for conditions that can be easily
     repaired (e.g., a CD with superficial scratches that can be
     fixed by our resurfacer).  However, the library reserves the 
     right to charge for damage that goes beyond what is ordinary 
     and beyond what can be easily repaired.
     If the item has been completely destroyed or is not in
     good enough condition to circulate, the full price of the
     item may be charged, along with a processing fee (see below).
     Damage fees are generally not refundable.
   
   
Lost Items
     If an item cannot be returned because it is lost or cannot be
     retrieved, the price of the item will be charged as a lost item
     fee, along with a processing fee (see below).  If the item is
     later found and returned within 180 days of its due date,
     the lost item fee (i.e., the cost of 
     the item) is refundable.  If you believe you may be able to
     find the item, we prefer that you renew the item if possible
     and look for it, rather than declare it lost.  We would 
     rather have the item back, than your money.
   
Charged Items:
     If a long-overdue item is not returned for 30 days past its due date, 
     it will be automatically marked as lost and 
     the cost of the item will be charged to your account, along with a
     processing fee (see below).  The cost of the item is refundable,
     if you bring the item back within 180 days of the due date.
     The processing fee and overdue fines are non-refundable, however.
   
Processing Fees:
     If an item is lost, damaged beyond use, or charged to your
     account, a processing fee may be charged in addition to the cost
     of the item.  Processing fees are $1 per item and are
     non-refundable.  Processing fees help defray the incidental costs
     (such as for barcodes, jackets, cases, labels, bibliographic
     records, etc.) that the library incurs when replacing an item,
     either with a new copy of the same item or with a different item.
   
Printing Charges
     The library reserves the right to charge for printing hard copies
     using the computers and printers, microfilm readers, or photocopiers.
     For prices, refer to the
     
Copies & Faxes price list.
   
Bounced Checks
     If you pay fines or fees by personal check, and the check
     bounces, the bank will typically charge us a fee.  We pass 
     this fee along to you, in addition to the original fines or fees,
     which still need to be paid.  Please don't write bad checks.