Effective Date: April 18, 2016; Revised 4/17/23; Revised 7/21/25

When a borrowed item is damaged, a fee is assessed on the patron’s record. If the item can no longer be used by the library, the full cost will be charged, just as if the item had been lost. If the item can still circulate, charges will be assessed based upon the extent of the damage.

For a borrowed item that can no longer circulate, the patron may keep it if all associated fees are paid in full. However, items that pose a potential health risk, such as those affected by mold or other hazardous materials, will be discarded immediately. If an item does not present a health risk, it will be held for up to 30 days. If the associated fees are not paid in full or the item is not picked up within that period, it will be discarded.

The library must ensure that all materials meet its selection criteria, cataloging standards, and overall collection needs, therefore the library does not accept replacement copies of damaged items instead of payment.

In rare cases of loss of property due to a disaster, such as a fire or flood, a request to waive or reduce the cost of Wayne County Public Library materials damaged in the event may be made, in writing, to the Library Director. Documentation, such as a copy of a police or fire report or insurance claim is required and should be submitted with the request. Appeals should be made within 90 days of the event. The Library Director may only waive or reduce the cost for materials owned by the Wayne County Public Library. As a courtesy, for materials not owned by WCPL, library staff will reach out to the owning libraries to request that costs be waived or reduced. However, each owning library determines whether charges will be assessed, therefore a complete waiver or reduction of costs cannot be guaranteed.

In the event that a patron has a history of damaged library materials, the patron may temporarily or permanently lose library borrowing privileges.