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Lost or Damaged Materials Policy

Columbia Township Library
Lost or Damaged Materials Policy

Adopted: April 25, 2016

Library materials must be returned in good condition.  At the discretion of the Library Director, replacement and processing fees will be assessed to a borrower account for items returned with damages.  Damage includes but is not limited to:

  •  Water damage

  • Burned or ripped covers, cases or pages

  • Ripped or removed labels or barcodes

  • Dirt, sand, food or other substances adhered to materials

  • Highlighting or underlining of text

  • Bed bugs or other pests

Replacing a Lost or Damaged Item

  • Patrons may pay for the item by paying the cost listed in the library’s database plus a non-refundable $1.00 processing fee for the item.

  • Patrons may purchase a replacement for the item that was lost or damaged.  A non-refundable $1.00 processing fee will be due with the replacement.

  • Replacement copy must be new.  Used copies will not be accepted.

  • Replacement copy must be an exact match for the item that was damaged or lost.  (i.e. same binding, edition, format, etc. – please ask for the item’s ISBN)) 

  • If the item is out of print, the Library Director will choose an appropriate replacement edition that may be purchased in lieu of the original edition. 

  • A $1.00 processing fee will be assessed for each item returned with a missing/damaged barcode or spine label.

  • Patrons may keep the damaged item once the replacement has been paid for or purchased.  Please inform the library staff if you wish to do so, and you will be contacted once the item has been withdrawn from the library’s database.