Alexandria Libraries Will Send Long Overdue Fines to Collection Agency

All Alexandria Library library card accounts with long-overdue library materials and unpaid fines and fees will be forwarded to a bill collection agency beginning June 15.

“Alexandria Library is one of the last library systems to contract with a collection agency in Northern Virginia,” Director of Libraries Rose Dawson said in a statement. “Compared to other library systems, we are long overdue.”

All accounts with a balance of $25 and higher for 60 days or more will be forwarded to Unique Management Services. A non-negotiable service charge of $10 will be added to each account with delinquent fines and fees when it is forwarded to Unique.

“Alexandria Library can only provide materials to meet the needs of patrons if long-overdue materials are made available again or are replaced,” said Dawson. “It is fiscally responsible for us to recover these overdue fines, especially in these economically challenging times.”

Patrons can pay fines by check or cash at the four branch libraries. Patrons also can pay fines with a credit card at any circulation desk or online at My Account on the library website, www.alexandria.lib.va.us.

“Alexandria Library really tries to make it as easy as possible for patrons not to have fines," said Dawson, noting that the library system prints out a due-date slip at checkout, emails pre-overdue notices and emails two overdue notices.