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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2004
Contact: Patricia Fraga, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442
Austin Public Library Begins Collection Agency Program
Customers Encouraged to Return Overdue Materials, Pay Fines and Fees
Beginning July 1, 2004, the Austin Public Library will outsource its collection of outstanding fees and fines to encourage everyone to return overdue books and other materials. Unique Management Services, a collection agency specializing in services to libraries, will recover unreturned materials and collect fines and fees owed to the Library. A charge of $10.00 will be applied to each account submitted for collection.
The contract with Unique Management Services was approved by City Council in February 2004 and the Library expects that this collection program will encourage all library borrowers to return items by the date due. Unique Management Services works with public libraries throughout the United States and Canada. Libraries are their only customers. They specialize in the recovery of overdue materials and have an excellent record of treating customers professionally.
The Library will notify customers of their materials overdue status and provide time to respond before referring their accounts to Unique Management Services for collection. Customers who have overdue materials are encouraged to return them to any Austin Public Library location and pay fines or fees owed to avoid having their accounts submitted to the collection agency. Most library items may be renewed online at www.cityofaustin.org/library. Also, book drops are available at all library locations for returning books when the library is closed.
The Austin Public Library is committed to providing excellent service and materials to meet the needs of all customers. The timely return of materials increases the availability to other Library users. For further information about the new collection program call the Austin Public Library at 512-974-7400 or visit the Web site at www.cityofaustin.org/library.
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