Charlotte County Library System

Materials Recovery - Starting November 1, 2008

What is materials recovery?
Materials recovery is the process of retrieving overdue library materials and collecting fines. On November 1, 2008 the Charlotte County Library System will begin using Unique Management Services to handle customer accounts with fines or lost materials charges of $25 or more.

Why is the library using an agency?
Unique Management Services works exclusively with libraries to recover overdue materials. They have an excellent record of treating patrons with courtesy and fairness. Unique has found that 60-70% of library patrons respond by clearing up their overdue accounts.

How is the agency paid?
In fairness to library patrons who return items and pay fines in a timely manner, the cost of the recovery service is passed on as a fee to each patron whose account is turned over to the agency.

What happens when I have an overdue item?
When an item is overdue 15 days we send you a first reminder notice. At 30 days we send a second reminder and at 45 days a bill for the replacement cost of the item. Beginning November 1, accounts with unreturned items over $25.00 in value not settled within 14 days of the date of the third notice (59 days from the due date) will be turned over to Unique Management Services for recovery. A $10.00 fee will be added to the account to cover the cost of collection.

What if I return my overdue items but don’t pay the late fees?
Accounts with late fees of $25.00 or more will also be turned over to Unique for collection and a $10.00 fee added to the account to cover the cost of collection.