Media Contact:
Heather Mompean, Community Relations and Marketing Officer
Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library
605 N. El Dorado Street
Stockton, CA  95202
(209) 937-7452
heather.mompean@ci.stockton.ca.us

PRESS RELEASE

Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Adjusts Fine and Fee Policy

As of September 1, 2010, changes will be made to the way Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library manages fines and fees. In an effort to help customers avoid accruing large fine and fee debts, and to assist the library with recouping lost materials, a more structured plan will be implemented.

The first change in policy is to reduce the amount a customer can have owe on their account. The new limit is $25 before the Library refers their account to a collection agency. This amount includes fines due to late return of materials and the fees associated with replacing lost or damaged materials.

The second change in policy is to implement a cap on the time a customer can carry any accrued fine or fee on their account to 30 days. If a customer does not pay an accrued fine or fee within 30 days, they will be blocked from checking out and renewing materials or having computer access and will be encouraged to pay their bill in full.

Library customers borrow over 1.7 million items per year from Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library branches. In order to meet the goal of having the greatest amount of our collection available for Library use, the Library makes use of an overdue fines schedule to encourage the prompt return of materials. Equally, fees encourage appropriate use of our materials so that items are returned in a condition that allows others to borrow them without delay.

“While these are important policies that must be implemented to manage our business of lending items to the public, we are not turning customers away from the resources and services the Library provides. People can still visit any library branch and read materials or participate in our programs while at the Library even if they do accrue debt with the Library.” states Chris Freeman, City Librarian. “However, we would not be fiscally responsible if, as an institution, we didn’t also manage appropriately the fines and fees that are due to the Library for lost and misused materials and the staff time to replace and repair them.”

Quick Summary:

- Any fine or fee accrued by the customer must be paid within 30 days from when it incurred or they will be blocked from checking out materials and using public computers until the balance is paid in full.

- If a balance of $10 accrues on a library customer’s account, they will be blocked from checking out and renewing materials and using public computers.

- If a customer accrues $25 in fines and fees, their account may be turned over to the Library’s collection agency. *

- Once an account is turned over to a collection agency, several attempts by the collection agency are made to collect the debt within 120 days. If no payment is made, after 120 days and with several attempts to contact the library card holder, the credit bureaus will be
notified.

- If a customer does make full payment on the account, the account will be returned to good standing and borrowing privileges will once again enabled.

* Accounts for minors (people under the age of 18) are turned over to a collection agency, but they are not submitted to a credit reporting company.

The Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library, part of the Community Services Department, serves residents throughout six cities and the unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County. For more information call toll free (866) 805-7323 or (209) 937-8221. Visit online at www.stockton.lib.ca.us. SSJCPL Library is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ssjcpl) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ssjcpl).

 

##