Library Circulation Policies: Lost/Damaged Items

This process will apply to regular items in the collection. Laptops have a separate procedure. Reserve items may also vary from this procedure, with the main difference being that in addition to the replacement cost and processing fee, a bill for an overdue or lost Reserve item will also include the $1/day overdue fine. See Fines & Bills for more information.

• A courtesy “coming due” email is sent to all patrons that have supplied the library with an email address notifying the patron that the material(s) are approaching the due date.
• First notice of overdue material is mailed to the street address on file when an item is seven days overdue.
• The second notice is an assumed-lost bill mailed when material is twenty-one days overdue; at that time the patron’s borrowing privileges are suspended. If the patron is a student, a hold is placed on their account and requests for transcripts and course registration will be denied until this bill is paid or until the material is returned.
• The patron will be charged the replacement cost of the material plus a processing fee.  
  • Replacement fees: Replacement fees will be billed at the cost of material to be replaced.
  • Processing fees: Processing fees will vary according to materials.
    • Books: $15.00
    • AV materials: $20.00
    • Periodicals: $5.00.

• If the assumed-lost materials are returned in good condition within 30 days from the date the bill was paid, the replacement cost will be refunded. The processing fee will not be refunded. See "Lost Item Refund Policy" (below) for more information.

  Students will not be able to register for classes, receive grades, or request transcripts if their outstanding balance is $5.00 or greater.

  All college personnel are expected to pay for lost and damaged materials that are checked out on their card.

If an item has been damaged, the patron will be charged the cost of the repair. If material is not repairable, the patron will be charged the cost of the damaged book and a processing fee, (see above for pricing).

Lost Item Refund Policy

When library books or any item belonging to the library has been marked lost, billed to the patron, and paid for, the refund policy is as follows:

1. If the item is returned within 1 month of payment, the entire amount for the cost of the item (not including the processing fee) is refunded.
2. If the item is returned after 1 month but before 2 months half of the amount paid will be refunded.
3. If the item is returned later than 2 months after payment, no refund will be issued.
4. If the item has already been replaced, no refund will be issued no matter when the item is returned

For example, a book is lost over the summer and the patron pays $50 total ($35 cost of book + $15 processing fee) for the item on Aug. 24.

1. If the patron finds and returns the book before Sept. 24, and it has not been replaced, the entire $35 amount for the cost of the item (not including the processing fee) will be refunded.
2. If the patron finds and returns the book between Sept. 24 and Oct. 24, and it has not been replaced, half of the amount paid will be refunded. (EXAMPLE: $35.00 X 50% =$17.50)
3. If the patron finds and attempts to return the book after Oct. 24, no refund will be issued.
4. If the book has already been replaced, no refund will be issued no matter when the book is returned.

The library is unable to “hold” checks.  Once they are received they will be deposited according to the regular accounting schedule.