I have lost a library book. What should I do?
Answer
If you have lost a book or other library item, or if the item is damaged, the library will charge you the original retail price of the item. You will not be charged an overdue fee.
A staff member can tell you how much the item costs. If you prefer to provide a replacement copy yourself, you may, but it must be an identical item in new condition. The replacement copy must be the same edition of the title as the lost book, and it must be the same format (hardback for hardback, for example).
You can pay for a lost item by cash or check in any branch. If you want to pay online by credit card, you may not see charges for the lost item until you let a circulation staff member know that an item has been lost.
Save the receipt for the payment of a lost item. Then, if the item turns up later, you can return it to any branch and receive the difference between what you paid and the maximum overdue fine.
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Other Answers / Comments (2)
- Good information, but it doesn't say how you return a book and apply for a partial refund on a the replacement fee that was paid. Also, why should I have to keep a receipt when, presumably, the data is in the library's system?
- You can return the book to the circulation desk of any branch. We ask you to bring the receipt for the original payment because it will speed the transaction and because payment records are periodically purged from our system.
