Wouldn't it be prudent to hold the item for a stated and reasonable period of time which would be conveyed to the patron at the time of notification of the damage and billing? Something like: ** Dear Patron, We've discovered that an item you returned recently (identify by call number, date of return, etc. or whatever other information that will make clear to the patron what the item is) was damaged when it was returned. Since there was no indication of damage when you borrowed the item, you will be billed for the (cost/value/purchase price/whatever you do). This item will be retained by the Library at (name location) for thirty (or whatever other reasonable time you determine) days should you wish to see the item and the damage to it. After that period, the item will be disposed of due to the damage. <You may wish to include a paragraph on how the charge to the patron is determined and how it can be paid and/or added to the patron's record until paid and the consequences of that> Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. The local library ** The question of whether this needs to be a policy adopted by the Board or an administrative policy is one for local determination. It probably should be denominated as a policy in writing and might contain an "escape" clause for items that do (or appear to) create a health hazard - e.g. blood or other bodily fluids - which could create a real health hazard for library personnel and/or the public. The notification to the patron should note that the item was disposed of/destroyed due to the apparent health hazard. A digital photo could/should be made and retained in that case. Michael D. McGuire Grand Rapids, MI mdmcguire@yahoo.com