Hi Robert, Thank you for your question. Our process in forwarding patrons on to collections are as follows: The following notices are sent prior to collections: o 2 Days before material is due - Courtesy Notice (email only) o 4 Days late- Overdue Notice o 10 Days late - Overdue Notice o 21 Days late - Billing Notice o 45 Days late - Account is referred to Unique and $10 non-refundable fee § Balance is minimum $35 and material is 45 days overdue § Day 22, 43 & 85 notices sent from Collections after initial 45 day notice § Day 57-70 & 90-112 phone call attempts from collection agency § 150 Days past material due date, patron is credit reported by Unique o A non-negotiable $10 collection fee (this fee cannot be waived) will be added to the account. o A block is also placed on the account and cannot be removed by Circulation Assistants. The block will come off the account 24 to 48 hours after the collection company receives payment full payment of balance due on account. o The collection agency does not report the patron to the credit reporting agencies unless the collection period has exceeded 120 days. o Patrons must pay their fines down to zero in order to have collection agency contact suspended and borrowing privileges restored. Regards, Dolores [vsmCPLlogo] Dolores Graddy Holds Assistant II Circulation Services Canton Public Library www.cantonpl.org<http://www.cantonpl.org/> [cid:image002.png@01CA7F16.F78F4450]<http://twitter.com/CantonLibrary> [cid:image003.png@01CA7F16.F78F4450] <http://www.facebook.com/CantonLibrary> 1200 S. Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48188 734-394-1300 From: michlib-l-bounces@mail2.mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mail2.mcls.org> [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mail2.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Robert Chartrand Sent: Monday, November 03, 2014 10:51 AM To: michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Sending Patrons to Collections Hello Everyone, Quick question: what are your library's policies on sending patrons to a collection agency? How many fines must they owe and for what length of time? Do they only get sent when they have items checked out? That sort of thing. Thank you in advance! Robert Chartrand Circulation Supervisor East Lansing Public Library 517-351-2420 (Library) 517-319-6943 (Office) ________________________________ East Lansing e-news is just a click away. Sign up to receive East Lansing's Dialog e-newsletter and other e-publications. Just visit http://www.cityofeastlansing.com/news today!