Lost / Damaged Materials

Lost items

Lost items are charged the library's full replacement cost if they are in-print and available for purchase. If the item is out-of-print and cannot be obtained by the Library through its regular vendors, a default price is charged based on the particular item type. For all lost items, a $5 processing fee will be assessed.

If the item is located and returned within 6 months of payment, the replacement charge will be refunded. Processing fees and overdue fines will not be refunded.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Materials: For lost Interlibrary Loan materials, a patron will be charged the replacement cost as determined by the loaning library; the Morton Grove Public Library does not determine this cost.

Damaged items

Damaged items will be evaluated by the Head of Circulation who will determine whether the item is still suitable for use. If the item can no longer be used in the collection, the patron will be responsible for library's full replacement cost for the item, plus a $5 processing fee. Damaged material that has been paid for in full may be returned to the patron (at patron's request) once it has been processed for withdrawal.

If the title is still usable, the Head of Circulation will determine the amount of the fine that will be the patron's responsibility. Assessment of damages will be decided on an individual basis based on the extent of damage and the cost of the item.

Patron initiated replacement of lost or damaged library material

In order to avoid confusion and error, the library prefers to order the items through its primary vendor. However, the library will accept replacement copies of print materials only (books) from patrons under the following stipulations: