Fullerton : Library Seeking Help From Collection Agency

The Fullerton Public Library wants its overdue books back. And this time the librarians are serious.

The city has hired the consulting firm of Weldon and Associates to help recover the overdue books.

Delinquent accounts will now be turned over to a collection agency and borrowers will be charged a $10 fee for the collection agency’s services in addition to overdue fines. If a book is lost, the borrower will be charged for its cost in addition to a replacement fee and the $10. This action “tells the public that we really want our books back,” city librarian Carolyn Johnson said.

Delinquent borrowers “aren’t thieves; they’re just careless,” Johnson said. “But when they’re careless, it means it becomes very difficult to give our patrons good service. The end result is that everybody is hurt.”

During the 1983-84 fiscal year, borrowers failed to return 2,832 books, magazines and records. Last year, that loss increased to 2,883, which translates to about $60,000 in replacement costs.