The Board of Library Trustees of the Benicia Public Library has established the following policy regarding lost and damaged materials.

Any patron who borrows materials from the Benicia Public Library is responsible for returning them in a timely manner and in the same condition as when checked out.

When materials are returned with damage or are lost, the patron will make restitution to the Library by paying the original purchase price of the item(s). If no purchase price is listed on the item record, the SPLASH default price list will be used. If the material is subsequently found, and returned, and is in acceptable condition, the price of the material is returned to the patron.

When a patron returns damaged material, a judgement is made by the library staff as to whether or not the material must be replaced. If the library keeps the item in our collection, a notation is made of the damage on a damage sticker. If it must be replaced, the patron must pay for the material. Damaged item(s) from outside our jurisdiction will be considered lost and the patron will be charged full replacement cost of the item(s).

If damages can be fixed or mitigated in some way as determined by library staff, the patron may be required to make a partial payment. A price list for these items is attached.

If an item is damaged, a letter will be sent notifying the patron of the damaged item and the cost that will be placed on their library card. A sample letter is attached. The damaged item will be held for two months, in case the patron wishes to inspect the item. After that, the item will no longer be available, but applicable fees will remain on the patron’s card. If the patron pays for the item, they may choose to keep it.

If items are not returned within two weeks after the due date, status of items will be considered “lost” and a notice will be sent to the patron according to their stated preference for method of contact. If a patron loses library materials, they are required to pay the Library’s cost of the item, unless the item is returned, and is in acceptable condition. The Library will not accept replacement items purchased by the patron.

Adopted: December 21, 1992

Revised: November 8, 1999

Revised: July 24, 2000

Revised: November 13, 2000

Revised: September 8, 2003

Revised: July 10, 2006

Revised: March 12, 2007, effective July 1, 2007

Revised: May 12, 2009

Revised: July 9, 2019

Revised: April 7, 2020 (Effective July 1, 2020)