Some libraries have the mistaken belief that they should only turn over patrons with large balances for collection. However, if you're like most libraries, when you look at past due data you'll find that over half of your past due patrons have balances between $25 and $50.
Given the sheer number of patrons with smaller balances, you can not just ignore them because the dollar amount of materials not returned will add up to be a huge amount over time. We challenge any library to look at the total dollar amount of materials not returned by patrons with past due balances of $25 to $50 and you'll be surprised. It's usually a large dollar amount.
Just because a patron checks out fewer or lower value items and does not return them it is still wrong. Those items could be in more demand than materials checked out by another patron that happened to check out more or higher priced items. All patrons have a responsibility to return materials and your library should hold them accountable.
Past due patrons with smaller balances respond very favorably to a nudge from Unique Management. Maintaining patron goodwill is just as easy with smaller balance accounts as those with large balances.
Most of our clients add on a $5 to $10 processing fee to past due patron balances so we can guarantee to keep the service budget neutral. We have not experienced resistance to the added processing fee because the ratio of $5 added to a $25 balance is not out of line. If people bounced a $25 dollar check they would have to pay an overdraft charge of $15 to $20.
Unique Management can help recover small balance past due patron accounts at no cost to the library. If your library can recover most of the materials from patrons with balances of $25 and up for free, why not do it?
With computer technology and Unique Management's strategic alliances with software vendors it is becoming much easier for libraries to submit collection accounts and report weekly updates regarding returns and payments. We can work with your technical staff to set up an automated process for submitting the information we need so it doesn't take much staff time. In other words, submitting small balance accounts will not require anymore of library staff time.
Unique Management works with many libraries across the United States and most of them turn over past due patrons with balances of $25 and up because it makes sense. Unique Management will be happy to provide references of libraries turning over smaller balance accounts.
SUMMARY:Libraries should turn over to Unique Management for collection past due patrons with balances of $25 and up because materials will be recovered for free and goodwill maintained.
