When will late fees be implemented?
October 1, 2009. Any items overdue on your account on Oct. 1, 2009 will be assessed a late fee upon return. For example, if you check out a book on Sept. 2, 2009, and it is due Sept. 23, 2009, and you don't return it until Oct. 1, you will be charged $2. Go to www.tscpl.org/myaccount and click on Fee Structure, which will help you calculate your fees depending on what items you've checked out. 

How can I avoid a late fee?
Return on time, Receive Reminders and Renew on time. We have a number of avenues to help you avoid late fees. Return materials in person at the library, to a bookmobile or to the 16 book drops throughout the community. Signup online or ask a staff member how to receive reminders by email. Our email alert system delivers pre-overdue reminders and overdue notices conveniently to your inbox. Go to catalog.tscpl.org and look for the email exclusive offer in the yellow box. Renew your materials before their due date online at catalog.tscpl.org, by using our renewal hotline, 785-580-4424, or at the library or bookmobile.

What will it cost me to bring an item back late?
The library charges 25 cents per day per item late fee on items that have a 21-day check-out period. High-demand materials like Express DVDs, Bestseller Express books, DVD Dispenser items and specialty items, like book bags and magnifiers, are assessed a $1 per day per item late fee.

Can I check online to see how much my fees are right now?
Late fees are calculated by check-in date and assessed when the item is returned. Your account will reflect any late fees you have accrued from previously returned materials. You can view your current Checked Out Items and their due dates at catalog.tscpl.org under the My Account tab.

What's the maximum late fee on an item?
The library has set a maximum late fee per item. The library charges a maximum late fee of $5 on most items like books, music and movies that have a 21-day check-out period. Magazines have a maximum late fee of $2.High-demand materials like Express DVDs, Bestseller Express books, DVD Dispenser items and specialty items, such as book bags and magnifiers, have a $10 maximum late fee.

What if I check out library materials and do not return them for a very long time?
After about 2 months, the library assumes that a long overdue item is lost, and the customer is charged the replacement cost of the item. Lost/long overdue items returned within 6 months of the original date due are charged the maximum late fee but the balance of the replacement cost is waived. After six months, the item can no longer be returned to the library, the late fees will be waived and the replacement costs will be charged. Customers may keep lost or damaged items for which full replacement charges have been paid. See the Circulation Guidelines on the website for more on this topic.

What if I check out library materials and never bring them back?
The library reserves the right to employ a collection agency in cases of unresolved charges.

If my card has 50 cents in fees, does that block me from using the computer?
No. Customers with a $10 or greater late fee or any charge older than 60 days lose library privileges and his/her account is blocked until the fee is paid.

How and where can I pay my fees?
Customers can pay fees at the Check-out countery, any service desk, or by adding money to their library account using the kiosk in the Copy Center. In the future, online payments will also be available.

How do I set up a payment plan if I can't pay my fees right now?
To set up a payment plan talk with Circulation staff either at the main check-out counter or by calling the Circulation Department at 785-580-4424. We will offer a plan of payments of 1/6 of the total bill or $15, whichever is higher. Payments must be made every month until all charges are paid in full. We have a conversation with the customer to determine what they can afford to pay. The $15 minimum charge was set to help customers pay off their charges. While we may accept payments less than $15, if a customer owes $150 and pays $5 a month it will take them two years to pay off their charges. When a customer is paying off their charges they have limited privileges that allow them to have two items checked out at a time and computer privileges.

How many times can I renew my item?
Some high-demand items and all DVDs and Express items cannot be renewed. If the item you want to renew has been requested by another customer, you cannot renew your item. If an item is renewable, you can renew it up to two times. By waiting until closer to your due date to renew, you can maximize your renewal check-out period.

Will the library be holding "amnesty days" for patrons with overdue items?
Amnesty days are time periods when any patron owing fines for overdue books or materials can return their late books or materials in good condition and have their fines cleared/cancelled from the patrons library account. The idea has been discussed and will continue to be discussed in the near future. No decision has been made at this time.

If my card is blocked because of maximum fees, can I use my friend's or relative's card?
No. The library's policy emphasizes sole ownership. We provide a library card to be used by that designated cardholder only. The cardholder must be present to checkout items or update account information.

What if someone else is using my library card?
We encourage customers to think their library card is as important as their credit card. Keep track of your card and report it lost as soon as you cannot find it. The time it takes to notify us that it is lost and pick up a new card on your next visit is a small price to pay compared to the cost of materials that you would be responsible for if someone used your card to check out materials they did not intend to return.

How do children's library cards work with late fees? Is there a difference?
There will be no difference for children's library cards.

I am the responsible adult listed on my daughter's card. Can I ask the library to limit how much she can check out so that my financial responsibility for those materials is not as great?
We currently do not limit what a child can check out but instead ask the parent to be closely involved with their child's use of the Library by coming to the Library with them and talking with them about the materials they have checked out so they can stay informed with their child's use of their library card. The parent does have access to information about a child's card and can check on the materials their child has checked out by using their child's account number and PIN online or they can call us at 785-580-4424.

Are materials returned to the book drop checked in every day? And will this affect late fees?
Our library software system allows us to backdate for purposes of check in. We will backdate all library materials from individual book drops to the date we last emptied that drop. This will ensure that customers are not charged fees due to any delay on our end in getting materials picked up, delivered and checked in.

What should I do if I know I returned an item that is still listed as checked out to me on my account?
Call 785-580-4424 or email us at asktscpl@tscpl.org to let us know that something still listed on your account was returned. Every once in a while something gets back on the shelf without being checked in. We will go check the shelf to see if that is what happened to your item. We will also mark the item as "claimed returned" which insures that the item will continue to be looked for here in the library just in case we don't find it the first time we look for it. We often ask the customer to also double check that they returned the item and it didn't fall under the seat in the car or get misplaced.

If I return items by midnight to the library drop box in the parking lot, does that count as the same date return?
We have the check in feature on the materials handling system turned on 24/7. If you return something at 11:55 pm that is when it will be noted on your account. As the amount of materials ebb and flow and we occasionally get behind with checking in materials, we are prepared to back date our check in system so that materials are recorded as being returned on the date they were actually returned.

My friend told me she got her fees waived because her house caught on fire. How can I get my fees waived?
Material lost or damaged due to extraordinary events such as a house fire, tornado, or flood will be excused. Billing information will be provided for insurance purposes where applicable. Theft does not exempt the borrower from payment for the loss of library materials. The library may forgive charges against a customer account in unusual circumstances not covered above. We may ask for documentation to prove fire, tornado, or flood damage and that would be insurance paperwork or documentation from the emergency service that helped with the incident. See Circulation Guidelines.

What other usage fees is the library considering as new sources of revenue?
All Meeting Room customers (for profit and non profit will be assessed an Equipment Usage Fee of $25 for the use of any audiovisual equipment and/or stage set-up. If you do not require audiovisual equipment and/or a stage set-up, the Equipment User Fee will not apply to your meeting. Rooms are still available to nonprofit customers at no cost and for profit business at a modest fee. The library is also considering usage fees for our mailing service and Inter-Library Loan service, but no decisions have been made at this time.

The FAQ will be updated and reposted as needed as more questions arise. Have a question or comment? Email tscpl@tscpl.org.