Fines and Recovery of Overdue Materials

Library materials are purchased for use by all citizens of East Orange. The East Orange Public Library establishes regulations for the loan of materials, including circulation periods, renewal processes, and fines for late return. The Board of Trustees believes that the individual who chooses to keep materials past the due date, or who refuses to settle unpaid fines or fees, compromises to some extent his or her right to privacy. The Library will attempt to recover overdue materials and will notify patrons of unpaid fines and fees according to procedures established by the Board of Trustees. Information regarding the overdue and non-returned materials and past-due fines and fees may be disclosed by the East Orange Public Library to a collection agency when that agency has entered into an agreement with the Board of Trustees to recover materials or to collect fees and fines. The Library will also provide sufficient information to allow any individual other than the holder of the borrower's card to settle unpaid fines or fees on that card. However, authors, titles, or subjects of lost or overdue materials will not be discussed without presentation of the borrower's card.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 5/5/02.