Recently Asked Questions

We have become aware that a recent law in New York shortened the statute of limitations to collect consumer debts.  Does this affect our library’s ability to enforce and collect library fines?

We have become aware that a recent law in New York shortened the statute of limitations to collect consumer debts.  Does this affect our library’s ability to enforce and collect library fines?

My association library is updating our meeting room policy. I've read Ask the Lawyer's previous advice on meeting rooms, as well as ALA's guidance. I have two questions that I can't find guidance on:

1. Private Use: We have only one meeting space that's used for library programs and by outside groups. It's adjacent to office space and a kitchen, so staff may need to walk through the meeting room at any time. When people reserve the room, we do tell them that it's not completely private for that reason so they know what to expect.

Our current policy states that the room "may not be used for private social functions, such as showers, birthday parties, wedding receptions, etc. unless permission is granted by the board of trustees." In practice, we have groups of card players, knitters or private meetings (local businesses, homeowners associations) regularly at no charge. If someone rented the room for a party, we would charge. I see those private meetings or activities as different from parties. Are we able to differentiate between types of private uses of the space?

2. Different fees for residents: If we charge fees, can we have different charges for people in our service area vs. people from out of town? We do live in a tourist area, and people will meet here as a destination. If a local non-profit reserves the room, I'd like it to be free, but if a non-profit that's not located in or serving our area wants to book it, I'd want to charge them. For out-of-town profit-making entities, I'd want to charge more. Can we set whatever fee structure we want?

For context, our chartered to serve area is our town, but we receive a tax levy from a larger area (our school district). We'd consider school district residents local.

What laws or limits should libraries consider when storing and collecting patron account debts?

Who is responsible for compliance: the library where a patron is registered (they set their own blocking policies), or the system maintaining the records?

Similarly, does the library system (who manages an ILS on behalf of its member libraries) have the authority over library records, including that of purging library patron accounts, according to local policy?

I am wondering if sending unsealed overdue notices to students in their classrooms is a FERPA violation. The notices might appear face up on their desks or in their hands for other students to see. The prices of overdue materials are listed on our notices. Another issue - is calling a student's home and leaving a message stating that they have an overdue book and giving the price of the book a FERPA violation? Thank you.