Strict ID Rules Convince Library to Outsource Collections

A change in state law that requires strict forms of identification before a library can move forward on collecting fines convinced the William E. Anderson Library in Penn Hills, Pa., to hire a collection agency to help recover materials and fines.

The library chose Unique Management Services, Jeffersonville, Ind., after the Allegheny County Public Library Association recommended the collection firm, which the county is using in a collection program of its own.

Unique works with more than 850 libraries throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, according to the firm’s Web site.

Mark Ann Zeak, acting library director for the Anderson library, said that the new law requires a Social Security number and other identifying information before a magisterial judge can move forward with court actions against delinquent patrons. But the library doesn’t have the additional data.

“It’s only a very small percentage of patrons who don’t return the materials,” Zeak added. But even that small percentage can be very costly. Previously it was rare if the library sought court action against as many of 10 of its estimated 16,000 patrons a month.

Though there were no estimates for the total the delinquent patrons owe, the amount adds up quickly, Zeak said. “Some of the DVD’s are $17, $18, $19 dollars apiece. Books like Harry Potter are $30 to $39 each.”

Unique will handle any unpaid delinquencies that exceed $25 after the library notifies the patrons about the potential collection action.

Zeak said she hopes that the threat of collection action, which can include a report to credit agencies (one the delinquency exceeds 120 days), will be sufficient to prompt delinquent patrons to return the materials.