Approved by:
Board of Trustees

Patrons with outstanding obligations for overdue materials, fines, or other financial obligations to the library system will have library borrowing privileges revoked until the obligations are eliminated.

The minimum fine for overdue material is $.10/day. Fines will not exceed $5.00 per item. The fines and fees may be adjusted periodically by administrative staff as necessary, and these fines and fees charges will be specified in the system procedures manual. Patrons with 10 or more overdue items or with fines exceeding $10.00 may not borrow any items until the obligations are cleared.

The patron whose borrower’s card materials are charged to is responsible for all fines, fees and costs associated with overdue items or replacing lost items or damage to materials is that patron. This includes rebinding of books.

Books or software that are lost or damaged beyond repair will be charged the current replacement costs plus a $10.00 nonrefundable processing fee. Replacement costs will be determined by the current current price found in www.amazon.com or by the latest Bowker Annual Library and Book Trade Almanac average for cost of library materials. Patrons should not attempt to repair items as this may cause additional damage. Donations of books (new or used) will not be accepted in lieu of the replacement fee.

Fines for items borrowed through the interlibrary loan network will be established by the lending library.

Failure to return borrowed library material is a misdemeanor under Georgia law and is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. When a patron borrows materials from the library, he/she is given a printout with items borrowed and appropriate due dates. Patrons are responsible for returning or renewing materials in the appropriate timeframe. If items are not returned within two weeks after the due date, a reminder notice will be sent as a courtesy to the patron to the address as provided by the patron. Four weeks after the due date, a billing notice will be mailed to the patron. If the outstanding obligations are not paid by the sixth week after the due date, the library system will notify the patron of Georgia law regarding failure to return borrowed library property and be sent a copy of Georgia Code 20-5-53. The library system will refer the obligation to the Magistrate’s Court or to a collection agency. Any additional expenses for postage, filing fees, administrative fees, or other costs resulting from collection will be charged to the patron.

Parents or legal guardians are responsible for items checked out by children under the age of 18. If a child loses or damages an item beyond repair, the parent or legal guardian is responsible for financial obligations of the child. A parent’s card will be restricted along with the child’s card until delinquent items are returned and obligations are eliminated.