Books, fines: Collection agency benefits Blanchard Library coffers

February 02, 2005
Santa Paula News

Although the board of Blanchard Community Library once flirted with the idea of publishing the names of book brigands – those who either didn’t bother or simply forgot to return a book to BCL – they opted instead for the services of a collection company.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAlthough the board of Blanchard Community Library once flirted with the idea of publishing the names of book brigands – those who either didn’t bother or simply forgot to return a book to BCL – they opted instead for the services of a collection company. Unique Management Services of Jeffersonville, Indiana has been collecting all those past books and fines to the tune of more than $6,000, according to a recent written report to Librarian Dan Robles.From September 2001 through December 2004, Unique Management processed 201 BCL accounts for collection. “Of that number, 138, or 68.66% of patrons processed, responded by fully or partially settling their accounts,” noted the report of Chris Whorton, a Unique Management customer service specialist.
In all, Unique Management recovered cash, materials and waivers for a total value of $6,323.11 during the reporting period, a return of $2.99 for each $1 invested by BCL to recover fines and books. The amount does not include materials and cash still to be recovered from library patrons submitted during the period the report is based upon.Equally as important as the fiscal return is that Unique has proven unique in dunning library patrons but not harming the library’s support. “…We have demonstrated that we can maintain patron goodwill while producing these results,” noted Whorton’s report.Last year BCL trustees discussed publishing the names of library patrons who owed fines for overdue books or had not returned books borrowed from BCL. The price of books has spiraled, and the trustees wanted to ensure that either the book be returned or that the full-replacement price be compensated. The return of books has been the ultimate goal, as many volumes are out of print and hard – if not impossible - to replace.



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