Collection Agency Policy

In May 2006 the library began using Unique Management Systems (UMS), a collection agency, to collect long overdue fines and charges for library materials.

WHY?
Because, despite our best attempts, a small number of library customers do not return library materials or pay for their replacement.  This places a burden on all taxpayers who must foot the bill for repeated attempts to contact those customers, collect fines and charges, and pay to replace and process non-returned itmes.  The materials that are kept out for long periods of time are not available to other customers.

FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE E-MAIL NOTICES:

• A PRE DUE NOTICE is e-mailed 1-3 days before the due date.
• 5 days overdue - AN OVERDUE NOTICE is e-mailed to the customer.
• 15 days overdue - AN OVERDUE NOTICE is e-mailed to the customer.
• 30 days overdue - A BILL is e-mailed to the customer.
• 37 days overdue - A BILL is mailed to the customer.
• 45 days overdue - Customers owning $25 or more are referred to UMS. A nonrefundable $15 collection fee is charged to the account.
• 46 days - UMS sends the customer a letter.
• 67 days overdue - UMS sends the customer a letter.
• 81 days overdue - UMS starts calling the customer.
• 109 days overdue - UMS sends a final letter.
• 165 days overdue - UMS reports the customer to three national credit bureaus.

FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TELEPHONE & MAIL NOTICES:

•  4 days overdue - A TELEPHONE CALL is made to the customer's telephone number listed in our database.
•  5 days overdue - IF no person or answering machine takes the call, an OVERDUE NOTICE is mailed to the customer.
• 30 days overdue - A BILL is mailed to the customer.
• 45 days overdue - Customers owing $25 or more are referred to UMS. A nonrefundable $15 collection fee is charged to the account.
• 46 days - UMS sends the customer a letter.
• 67 days overdue - UMS sends the customer a letter.
• 81 days overdue - UMS starts calling the customer.
• 109 days overdue - UMS sends a final letter.
• 165 days overdue - UMS reports the customer to three national credit bureaus.