Lost or Damaged Materials Policy

Bedford Public Library Policy

Subject: Lost or Damaged Materials	Last Updated: 08/03/10
Category: Circulation & Information Services	Supercedes: 11/09/09

I. POLICY

Patrons will be required to pay for materials that are lost while checked out to them. If the patron pays for the materials and then finds and returns them in good condition, reimbursement may be made for a period of 30 days from the date of payment. Materials that are automatically declared lost by the library's circulation database due to length of time overdue, will be charged to the patron's account along with the accrued overdue fines. Once charged to the account, the cost of any returned materials will not be waived. A minimal fee will be charged for mending or repairing library materials that are returned “not in library condition.”

II. APPLICABILITY

Library patrons who have lost or damaged materials that have been checked out to them.

III. OBJECTIVE

To provide an equitable method for replacing lost and damaged materials.

IV. PROCEDURES

Lost library books are charged the full retail cost of the item if the price can be determined from a reliable source such as the item’s MARC record (if recently added), Amazon.com, or Barnes&Noble.com. Full retail price is charged because book processing fees and staff time are not assessed. If a price cannot be determined, the following charges apply:

Adult fiction hardcover - $ 26.00
Adult non-fiction hardcover - $ 30.00
Young Adult hardcover - $ 25.00
Juvenile hardcover - $ 23.00
Board book - $ 6.00
Soft-cover book - $ 25.00
Paperback book - $ 10.00
Trade paperback book - $ 15.00
Juvenile and Young Adult paperback book - $ 10.00

Non-book items that are lost are charged at the price listed on library records or a recognized price guide. If no price is indicated, the following charges apply:

Talking books (cassette): $ 7.00 per cassette plus a charge of $ 3.00 to replace the case. Example: For a lost 4 cassette talking book, the charge is $ 7.00 X 4 + $ 3.00 = $ 31.00.
Talking books (CD): $ 10.00 per CD plus a charge of $2.00 to replace the case.
Music cassette (single): $12.00 plus circulation pouch @ $ 1.00
Music CD (single): $17.00 plus case @ $ 2.00
DVD: $ 26.00 plus case @ $1.00
Playaway: $ 60.00 for an entire set,
- $2.00 for earbuds
- $3.00 for case
- $4.00 for foam insert
Book and cassette or CD: $ 20.00 plus hanging bag @ $ 2.00
CD Rom: $ 30.00 plus hanging bag @ $ 1.00
Video (single): $ 20.00 plus video cassette case @ $ 2.00

2 volume video: $ 25.00 plus case @ $ 3.00
more than 2 volumes or special cases in which video is obviously more expensive, check with the Selection Committee

Magazines: price of current issue or $ 6.00 if current price is not available
Minimal damage fee of $ 5.00 is charged if item can be mended or repaired to proper library condition.

IV. EXCEPTIONS

Due to increases or decreases in the costs of certain items, the Library Board grants the Library Director authority to make such changes at his/her discretion.
The Library Director may initiate such changes or the Collection Development Committee, Associate Director, or Assistant Director may request that the Director make such changes.