Wisconsin State Legislature Considers Proposal That Would Permit Police Notification For Overdue Library Materials

From the Fon du Lac Reporter/USA Today Network

Forgot to return a library book? You might be getting a call from a collections agency.
Or the police.
That’s a scenario that could play out if lawmakers approve a proposal that allows libraries to give information on people, whose late fees on past-due library books are $50 or more, to the police and collection agencies.
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Jon Bolthouse, director of the Fond du Lac Public Library, said the proposal is long overdue. “It means more materials available to community members,” Bolthouse said. “It means we have the ability to go and get the materials back.”
Since 2005, Neenah Public Library has referred delinquent accounts to collections agencies. Gretchen Raab, director of the Neenah library, said that since the policy was implemented, it has helped the library recover $255,000 worth of overdue materials.

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Read and Track the Bill (SB 466)

Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries