Processing Fees

Most area public libraries charge a $5 processing fee along with the full replacement cost for a lost item or one damaged beyond repair.

This additional fee represents only a fraction of the cost of acquiring and processing a library material. The commercial processing for most books is .89 cents per volume and our own supplies add another .72 or more per item. But the major cost is the clerical cost to order, process, link, repair and eventually delete each item in the library collection. That cost alone is almost $10! So the true processing fee per item should be closer to $12 than the present fee of $5.

Most library patrons are simply unaware of what it costs to process library materials. The $5 we collect as a processing fee for a lost or damaged item is peanuts compared to the actual cost. We will continue to do our best to hold down library costs and you can help us by returning overdue materials before they reach the lost stage and by taking good care of all library materials entrusted to you for home use.

Thank you for your understanding.