$1,000 In Overdue Books Prompts Police Intervention In Avon Lake

AVON LAKE, OH — An Avon Lake Public Library employee called police for help last week after a customer checked out more than a $1,000 worth of books and media and then didn't return any of the items. The materials were checked out over the summer, according to police reports. The library employee contacted police in February.

The employee told police the library would like to pursue charges of theft against the customer if the items were not returned. Police reached out to the patron, a Fairview Park man, who then returned all of the overdue items and paid his late fees.

The library didn't seem interested in pursuing charges against the man, according to the police reports.

Avon Lake Public Library is open to any resident of Ohio, according to the branch's website. Card holders "may have 10 videos and as many as 50 items out on your card at any one time," the website said.

Additionally,the library does have late fees. Most overdue materials will cost patrons $.05 a day. So-called "Hot Pick" books and DVDs cost more, with books costing a quarter past their due dates and DVDs and video games, and equipment, costing $1 per day.

Fines against a customer can only reach $10 before that customer's library card is suspended. That means the customer wouldn't be able to check out additional materials from the library.

On its website, the library says it does employ the use of a collection agency. "Since using the collection agency, we have realized a return averaging 7 : 1, that is, for every $1.00 we spend on collections, we get $7.00 back in the form of returned materials and paid fines. The Library is funded with taxpayer dollars and we see this as being responsible to our taxpayers."

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