Overdue Item Policy

There are thousands of items overdue from GDL at any one time. This equals hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some items never come back. In effect, they are stolen. It is very costly for GDL to administer the overdue items’ process and/or replace them. Most important, is that during this time the items (books, DVDs, CDs, videos, books on CD and tape, etc.) are completely unavailable to other library users.

Everyone (including us) forgets once in awhile, so we have ways to remind you when your checked out items are overdue. Let your librarian know which method you would like to receive your reminder when you have overdue items. You can choose one of three ways:

• Regular mail
• Telephone
• Email (if you choose email, you will be reminded before the item is due as well as overdue)

When you receive one of these reminders, you need to take some action whether you are finished with the items or not. Of course, return the items if you are finished. If you wish to renew an item, you can renew items online under My Account or My Record, or have a librarian do it for you. Not all items are renewable.

Overdue means that the item has not been returned to the library by closing time on the date it is due back. That date is on the receipt you received when checking out, or it is available in your account online. GDL staff can also tell you the due date if you call. This is one reason you get a paper receipt. The same date is printed on it that is registered on the computer so there are no errors or misunderstandings.

There are no daily fines for late books but there are some one-time fees. Service fees cover the cost of recovering overdue items.

Service fee for long overdue items: once the computer generates a bill (a second reminder), a fee per item is charged. This fee is non-refundable.

In the case of DVDs, a service fee is charged immediately the day after the DVD is due.

Lost items. A service fee is added for each item to the replacement cost of a lost item. The service fee is non-refundable even if the items are eventually returned. The replacement costs of items vary according to their purchase price.

Found items. If a lost item is found and returned within six months of the original checkout date, a refund is given when the receipt for the amount paid is presented. However, a $5.00 administrative service fee will be deducted from the refund.

You will not be allowed to check out more items until the overdue or lost items are taken care of. Other services such as library computer use or database research are also restricted. You can pay your fees using your credit card at www.thegdl.org or pay by cash or check at a GDL library.

Returning items when the library is closed: Some GDL libraries have secure outside “drop boxes.” Some do not. Please return items to the libraries with secure drop boxes. You are responsible for any items that are not returned in a secure way. Mailboxes, on the porch, etc. are not secure.

Loan Periods FYI:

• Videos and DVDs: 7 days (not renewable)
• High demand books and bestsellers: 2 weeks (not renewable)
• General and children’s books: 4 weeks
• Books on tape or CD: 4 weeks