Overdue books costing library money it doesn't have

by Mary Le Arneal, Amy Reznicek
Published 8/6/25

When patrons check out books and other materials from the North Bend Public Library, they are saving money because they don’t have to purchase the item.

The library’s computer system has a price assigned to everything available for checkout. This is entered when the book is first processed at the library and being put on the shelves.

This assists the librarians in having a good idea on the amount of money they help patrons save by using this valuable resource.

Charley Mock, 12, has read one book in The Throne of Glass series, but her prospects to continue the series are not good since books one through seven were checked out and not returned to the library.

In July alone, patrons have saved $7,998. Since Oct. 1, which is when the library’s fiscal year begins, patrons have saved $114,486. This amount does not consider any amount saved by using library computers or printing services.

The library sends out electronic messages by text or e-mail to advise patrons when items are coming due and overdue. As of Monday, there are $1,110 worth of overdue items, and all of those overdue fines come from just four families.

Reznicek said one of those families has four children and each has 10 books checked out. Most of the overdue books are from the young adult section including the Inheritance Series by Chris Paolini, Crescent Series by Sarah Maas and a several Dr. Suess books. This is a science fiction series that had ten books checked out June 14, 2024, and are now among the missing. The books are worth $507.

“We’ll never see them,” Reznicek said.

People with such lofty fines are restricted from using the library, but with the different librarians, the mother came in when the librarian on duty did not know her and checked out 10 more books.

The $1,110 value of the missing books would also be the amount the library would have to pay to replace the books.

“That is a huge amount to overcome for a library with our budget,” head librarian Amy Reznicek said. “Most of those items we will never see again because we have tried to contact the patrons numerous times.”

Reznicek said when the amount due gets over $400 she sends them to the Credit Bureau, but the Credit Bureau said the library is the only place these families have debt and they can do nothing.

If a person were to return the books, they would pay no more than the cost of the book. If it is just a few days, 10¢ a day is charged. After 30 days the computer thinks the book is lost and charges the price of the book.

“We appreciate the donations received as they will be used to replace items that were never returned,” Reznicek said. “Please take notice of due dates and electronic messages from the library to help avoid overdue fines. If you receive notice of items coming due, please contact the library by email or by phone to renew your items.”

As noted in a July 9 Eagle article, the library is having financial problems and is using reserve funds to maintain services.

Ideas to raise funds or save money are being sought by the library board, a city-appointed governing body. Changes such as charging non-residents for using the library are being considered.

The next meeting of the library board is Monday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m. at the library. The public invited to come and offer suggestions.

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