Overdue Policies
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An Agreement

Libraries and their patrons have an agreement.  The library buys and provides books, movies, magazines, audiobooks,  and many other materials for patrons to check out and take home for a specified time.

The patron’s part of the agreement is that they will take care of the materials they are using.  And they will bring back the materials that they take home so that others can share the materials also.   

El Paso District Library officially went fine free on June 1st, 2021!  No fines have been charged since the library first shut down for COVID19 on March 17, 2020.  

Fine Free does not mean that you get to keep your items forever. The library does want their materials back and other patrons may wish to check out the items, also.  Fine Free does mean that when the materials are returned in a reasonable time frame, you will not be charged any late fees. Overdue notices will still be produced.  If you return the item before it gets to LOST status, you will not owe any overdue fees.  See below for more information about the LOST status.

If you check out materials at another local library that is not fine-free, fines will still be charged.

overdue notices produced

Our system produces overdue notices on three specific predetermined dates in our billing cycle.  The predetermined dates for movies are different than for other items because of the different due date timing.  Because of this, the system produces an overdue notice for movies and a separate overdue notice for all other items.  If the items are not returned after three overdue notices are produced, the system will produce the first bill.  The system will place the item in LOST status and charge the patron the price of the item.  A $5 processing fee is also charged to your account for each item.   At this time your card will be blocked which means you cannot check out items or have access to our digital collections (Libby, Overdrive, and Axis360).

email notification

Patron’s emails can be added to their account so that the overdue notices will send an email to the patron.   If you check your email frequently, this notification can be quite helpful.

cell phone notification

Patrons can sign up for the SHOUTBOMB text messaging service to use their mobile phones to receive text notices about overdue items and fees.

telephone calls and bills

Staff of the El Paso District Library telephones patrons during the billing cycles of the movies and other items.  This serves as a friendly reminder that  items are overdue.  The staff sees this as a service to help patrons.   This reminder also helps other patrons who would like the materials to come back to the library so that they can use them, also.  

If a patron prefers email or cell phone notification, they can notify the library and the staff will no longer make phone calls.

However, all patrons will be notified when items go to LOST status regardless of email, text message, or phone call preferences.

A bill will be sent in the mail to the patron whenever an item goes to LOST status.   The system charges the replacement price of the item.  If the patron returns the item, you will not be charged the replacement price of the item but you will still be charged the $5 processing fee per item.

children under age 18

Children can get their own library cards starting at age seven.   Many parents use this as an opportunity to teach children responsibility.  However, parents/guardians are ultimately responsible to pay for library fees on their children’s accounts.