LIBRARY TO USE COLLECTION AGENCY

In order to protect tax dollars that have been invested in the Library’s collection, the Coastal Plain Regional Library System Board of Trustees approved the use of a collection agency to encourage patrons to return long overdue materials. Starting in November 2008, library staff will send to the collection agency accounts that are more that 45 days overdue. The collection agency will then contact delinquent library users to urge them to return long overdue items to the Carrie Dorsey Perry Memorial Library (Berrien County), the Cook County Public Library, the Irwin County Public Library, the Tifton-Tift County Public Library, the Headquarters library (2014 Chestnut Ave., Tifton) or the Victoria Evans Memorial Library in Turner County and pay any overdue fines. The cost of the collection service will be passed on to each patron whose account will be adjusted to reflect the additional $10.00 service fee.

This new policy was developed to promote fairness to all library patrons and to protect the integrity of the collection of books, videos, magazines, audio books and other items that are purchased with tax dollars. Materials that are not returned and are kept long overdue are not available for other citizens to use or borrow. Also, if materials are never returned to the library, then additional funding must be used to replace each item. These same tax dollars could be better used to purchase new items for citizens to use instead of replacing non-returned books, video, magazines, audio books and other library materials.

“The vast majority of library patrons will never notice that the library has contracted with a collections agency,” said Carrie Zeiger, Regional Director. “Only a very small number of people keep library materials long past their due date. But those few people have checked out and are keeping a significant dollar amount of materials out of circulation. Attempting to recover this material is the fiscally responsible thing to do.” Library staff will still notify all patrons, with three separate notices, if their materials are overdue. Each library user will have ample time to respond before it becomes necessary to turn the account over for collection.

Unique Management Services has been selected as the collection agency for CPRL. Unique Management works with libraries throughout the United States and Canada. They specialize in the recovery of overdue materials and have an excellent record of treating patrons professionally. “Unique has been working with various library systems in Georgia for years.  These libraries are very happy with the service they have received and the number of books and other items they have recovered,” said Carrie Zeiger. “I have no doubt that they are the appropriate choice for our situation.”

The Library Board of Trustees hope that the new policy will encourage all delinquent library borrowers to return items by the due date and not keep books and other materials from being enjoyed by all. Library materials can easily be renewed by bringing the item into the library with the patron’s library card, calling your local library, or logging into the www.pines.lib.ga.us (My Account) web site to renew by computer. Also, book drops for returning materials when the library is closed are conveniently located at all branches.

The libraries of the Coastal Plain Regional Library System are committed to providing excellent service and a wide array of interesting, useful and valuable resources to the citizens of Berrien, Cook, Irwin, Tift and Turner Counties.

All Coastal Plain Regional Library members are wireless hotspots!

TTCPL is funded by

Tift County
City of Tifton
Tift County Board of Education
The State of Georgia

TTCPL is managed by the TTCPL Board

The members of this board are

Hal Henderson
Lorenzo Williams
Bertha Williams
Filiberto Hernandez
Dotty Royal
Jo Griffeth
Carolyn Abell
Bea Cater
Jim Lavery
Eunice Mixon
Lennie Vollmer
Marianna Keesee
Kim Rutland

Victoria Horst
Branch manager

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Original art by Fred Bleck
(thanks Fred)