Loan Periods, Renewals, Fines

From Glen Ellyn Public Library Policies, Appendix M

1. A.   Unincorporated Residents applying for a library card must present a picture I.D. from List A and a current tax bill, lease or current rent receipt. The annual unincorporated library card fee is calculated as follows:
2. Homeowner: Net Taxable Value (shown on current property tax bill) x Library’s current tax rate
3. Renters: Annual rent x 15%

1. B.   Residents of Newly Developed Property / Developers’ Impact Fees are calculated as follows:

• Current tax extension for the Glen Ellyn Public library
• Divided by the population of Glen Ellyn
• Times the number of years until tax income is received (1.5)
• Times the population equivalent of the unit (based on the equivalency figures used by the Village of Glen Ellyn and the Glenbard Wastewater Authority)
• Equals the Annual Developer Impact Fee

1. C.   Billing Timetable for Lost and Damaged Materials

When an item is lost but paid for within 50 days of the due date the patron will be required to pay the cost of the item and the processing fees.

Items not returned within 50 days of the due date will be assumed lost.  The original purchase price of the item, processing fee and billing fee will be attached to the patron’s record, and the patron’s borrowing privileges will be suspended.

If paid for after 50 days overdue, the patron will be required to pay the cost of the item and all associated fees.

If the item has been paid but found and returned within six months of the due date, the cost of the item and processing fee only will be refunded, less the accumulated fines and fees.

After six months, all charges are non-refundable and the item is non-returnable.  The full replacement cost and associated fees must be paid to reinstate borrowing privileges.

1. D.   Maximum fine charged per item is $5.00

1. E.    Billing fee charges are added when overdue items reach 50 days overdue.  The charges are $3 per item up to 9 items.  10 items or more receives a maximum billing fee of $30.

1. F.    Thresholds and Borrowing Restrictions include:

• $10 in overall overdue fines and fees
• One or more material(s) overdue 50 days or more 
• Combined household charges of $40 or more–may result in the entire household being restricted if the bills are not cleared in their entirety within 30 days
• One or more material(s) overdue 50 days or more–with a combined value of $50 or more–may be sent to a collection agency; additional fees would apply

Patrons who have reached these thresholds will be denied library card privileges until the restrictions have been removed.  Parents or guardians are also financially responsible for any fines or fees accrued on cards for which they have cosigned; therefore their personal card may be barred from library privileges until the restrictions have been removed.

1. G.   Charges for lost or damaged items

Replacement charges for currently available materials will be the current available prices found in the bibliographic record.  If a price is not listed in the bibliographic record, a current market price will be investigated. If a new copy of the same item is no longer available, an average replacement cost will be assessed. All lost and/or damaged items will also incur a processing fee.

1. H.   Charges for Missing Pieces

Items that circulate with multiple pieces may incur a replacement charge if it is returned with a piece(s) missing. The head of the owning department will evaluate if the item can still be circulated and/or if a fee should be assessed.  These items may include:

• Puzzles
• Books circulating as a set (Bob Books)
• Kits
• Multi disc CD’s and DVD’s
• Books with a Disc included

Resulting fees would be based on the current available price found in the bibliographic record.

1. I.    Price Review and Diminished Value Charges

A patron may request a Review of Replacement Cost based on age or condition of a lost or damaged item.  All requests will be referred to the Circulation Services Director who may offer a discounted price at his or her discretion.

• For paperback items a 10% discount per year of library age of item to a maximum discount of 50% may be offered
• For hardcover items a 10% discount for every 2 library years of age of the item to a maximum of 50% may be offered
• Discounts for audio visual items, puzzles or puppets will be on a case by case basis; a reduced charge may not be offered
• Replacements for missing or damaged items will not be accepted

For items that have been damaged but are considered by the head of the owning department to still be usable a Diminished Value Charge may be assessed.  This charge would not exceed 50% of the original cost of the item will be to the head of the owning department for evaluation and fee determination.

Loan and Renewal Periods and Fees

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