If we are notified bankruptcy was granted we forgive obligations. Bankruptcy law as explained to me doesn't allow other options.
If the library is listed as a creditor in the patron's application for bankruptcy you will receive notice from the bankruptcy court. Eventually you will receive another notice of bankruptcy being granted or not. If granted the notice says the patron is relieved of all obligations earned before the date bankruptcy was granted.
We clear the person's record of fines, replacement costs for lost items and any other fees.
To the best of my knowledge we have never had anyone granted bankruptcy protection continue using the library. Usually their card expired before bankruptcy becomes an issue.
J. Randolph Call
Assistant Director for Main Library and Technical Services
Detroit Public Library
Sent from my iPhone
We’ve had bankruptcies come up on occasion, and we’ve never been quite sure how to handle them. Does any other library out there have guidelines? How do you deal with lost items? Will you renew their library cards if they have lots of fines? Would you flat out forgive fines? Please let us know.
Thanks,
Steven F. Smith
Dearborn Public Library
16301 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn, MI 48124
(313) 943-2812
ssmith@ci.dearborn.mi.us
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http://dearbornlibrary.org