Overdue Fines & Lost/Damaged Fees

6.4 CHARGES AND FEES

The library may impose fines or charges as provided in ORS 357.975 and as set forth by the City of Canby’s fee resolution adopted annually by the Canby City Council if a patron fails to return library items. Fines begin accruing the day after the material is due. In accordance with LINCC policies, fines remaining on an account after 30 days will be deemed as “uncollectible.” The library may impose fines or charges as follows:

6.4.1 OVERDUE CHARGES

There is no grace period after the due date of an item. Items returned after the due date will be charged the daily rate for the item type.  

• Print and non-print items:         $ 0.10 cents
• Library of Things Items:              $ 1.00 per day

Maximum Overdue Charges

• $1.00 maximum per item
• Library of Things item: Cost of the item

6.4.2 LOST OR DAMAGED MATERIALS

The LINCC system shares a catalog, but each library owns its own materials and makes individual policy decisions regarding lost and damaged items. It is the policy of the Canby Public Library to accept replacement copies of lost or damaged adult materials published in the current or previous calendar year. Requests to accept replacement copies for children’s materials will be reviewed by the Children’s Librarian. If an item becomes lost or too damaged to circulate, the patron who checked the materials out will be charged the full replacement cost of the item.  If the patron does not resolve the issue until past the item’s due date, it may also accrue overdue fines.  Patrons are not responsible for normal wear and tear.

Items not returned by 30 days after the due date will be deemed as lost. The charge for a lost item is the cost of the item plus any overdue charges.  Lost items borrowed from other libraries will be charged according to the fees of the owning library.  Patrons may pay for lost items at any LINCC library or online.

Any item damaged beyond repair will be removed from circulation and the patron will be billed the replacement cost.  The replacement cost for damaged materials is the cost of the item as noted in the library’s database.  The library is not responsible for personal equipment damaged by library materials. 

oTHER:

If you have paid for a lost item and later find the item, you may be eligible for a refund or credit. If the item is still in good condition when it is checked in, the system will automatically credit your account for the amount paid. That credit can be applied toward future fines. Only items returned within 6 months of the payment date are eligible for a credit. 

If you would prefer a refund instead of a credit, please return the item directly to a staff member (not in the book drop). The following conditions must apply:

• The item must be returned within 30 days of payment (of the item's full replacement cost).
• Only replacement costs are refunded. Overdue fines are not refundable. 
• The City of Canby will issue a check, which will be mailed to you in approximately 2 weeks.

Staff cannot issue cash refunds. The refund policy does not apply to damaged items.

Canby Public Library does not generally accept new copies in lieu of the replacement cost. It can be difficult to get the correct format and edition when acquiring replacements.  There are also additional costs associated with processing that aren’t considered when a replacement is purchased outside of the library’s normal channels.  Librarians may also decide that another item is a better option for the collection.