Effective Date: December 13, 2008; Revised 4/17/23

If a registered Library patron’s card is lost, missing or stolen, the patron is required to report the missing card immediately to the main library Circulation Department, any WCPL branch library or bookmobile. 

The report may be made in person, by telephone, email, or similar method. When a report of a lost, missing or stolen card is reported, then WCPL staff will immediately bar the account so that the card can no longer be used to borrow books or other library materials. 

Any items borrowed before the report is made are the responsibility of the patron.

Patrons who report a lost, missing or stolen card will not be charged a fee for a new card.

If a patron loses a card, but does not report the card lost, missing or stolen, and the card is misused by another person, then the patron is responsible for all items falsely borrowed. 

If a patron owes money for non-returned items due to theft, the patron may request that an amount in excess of $100 be waived for materials owned by the Wayne County Public Library. The patron must request a waiver in writing within 90 days of the incident and include a copy of a police report and a letter indicating whether there is coverage from any insurance policy. The branch or department manager involved will make a recommendation to the Director who will respond to the patron in writing. The Library reserves the right to limit the amount and number of waivers given.

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.