• Lost and Damaged Book Policy

    Lost Library Books

    If the book has been lost for less than four weeks, we ask you to keep looking for it.  Students will receive a verbal, friendly reminder to keep looking for the missing item.  At the end of every quarter, overdue notices will be sent home. 

    After four weeks have passed since the book was due, the book is officially considered lost.  At that point, students must choose to return the missing item, purchase a replacement copy, or pay the replacement cost. Students can purchase a copy of the book online, and bring that in to replace the lost book. The book must be the same type as the original: paperback or hardcover. Please provide the library with either the cash (correct change only, please!  We cannot give change) or a check (Made out to WLC) to cover the replacement cost.  If the exact copy of the missing item cannot be obtained by the librarian, a similar title will be substituted.  If this is a recurring problem, parents will be notified.

    Refunds can only be given within the current school year (August-May).  If a missing book is located after this time, it then becomes the property of your family.

    Please be aware that library books are becoming more and more expensive.  The average cost of a hardcover book is $17.00.  Many people experience “sticker shock” when they are presented with a bill for lost library books.

    Damaged Library Books

    The most common reasons books become damaged are:

    •         Pets—especially dogs
    •         Babies and Toddlers—who are too young to know how to take care of books properly
    •         Food—keep library books away from the kitchen table, please!
    •         Liquids—cups spill, juice boxes explode, rain and puddles develop

    Students are instructed to keep library books in a safe place to avoid these problems.  Yet, despite their best intentions, occasionally a library book is accidentally damaged.

    If this happens to a book checked out to a student, please know that students will not “get in trouble” in the library.  Students will have to tell the library staff about what happened, and they will have to pay to replace the damaged item(s). Books can be replaced in the same means as if they are lost; books can be purchased online to replace the library copy, or money can be given to the librarian.

    If possible, damaged books can be fixed. The librarian will determine whether this is feasible, and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Books can become damaged accidentally, the librarian understands that.

    Please contact librarian MaryBeth Wiley at m.wiley@sau63.org with any questions or concerns. 

    Adapted from:

    White. "Lost and Damaged Library Book Policy - Mountain View Elementary Media Center." Mountain View Elementary Media Center. Web. 22 Mar. 2021.