The Library District does not charge fines. However, if your account is delinquent with over $50 worth of material overdue for more than 60 days, your account will be referred to an outside agency for "materials recovery" and a $10 fee will appear on your library account.
When your overdue items total $50 or more, and you have at least one item that is 60 days or more overdue, your account will be referred to an outside agency, Unique Management Services, for recovery. This also will result in a $10 referral fee on your account. You can clear your account by returning your overdue items and paying the $10 fee at any Alachua County Library District location.
This procedure encourages library users to return materials in a timely manner, so that other library users can enjoy them. It also helps reduce library expenses by eliminating the need to purchase replacements for popular items that are never returned. Before referring accounts to Unique Management, the Library sends an overdue notice when items are two weeks overdue and a bill notice when items reach 28 days overdue.
You will receive a letter asking for the return of the items. The letter will ask you to contact the library. Patrons who do not respond to this initial letter will be contacted with follow-up letters and phone calls. Unique Management is only given your name, address, telephone number and the amount of money you owe the Library. Titles of items checked out to you will not be released.
If the account is in a child's name, the parent or guardian is responsible for the account. Letters from Unique Management are addressed to "The Parents of (your child’s name)."
Yes. Accounts are only turned over to Unique Management Services for recovery once they have been overdue for 60 days. If you return your materials after being notified by Unique Management, the $10 recovery fee remains on your account until paid. This fee helps the library defray some of the costs associated with the service. To ensure that you are not assessed recovery fees, you must return materials before they are 60 days overdue.
Call or visit the library and we can help you set up a payment plan. Collection via Unique Management Services can be suspended as long as regular payments are made. If the payment schedule is not met, Unique Management will resume collection activities.
You must pay for replacement of the item. The Library District no longer accepts replacement copies instead of payment. Patrons must either return the item itself, or pay for the item.
