Trenton Library to Employ Collection Agency for Overdue Books

Get that overdue book back to the library -- or else.

Starting Oct. 1, people with overdue library books from Trenton Veterans Memorial Library could be turned over to a collection agency.

The library has employed Unique Management Services, Inc. to follow up on overdue items that are over 45 days past due and valued over $25.

Those with overdue materials will receive a number of notices via mail and phone before their information is turned over to the collection agency.

"We're not going to send anyone out to harass you or harass you with phone calls," Library Director Francene Sanak said. "We just want our materials back."

Sanak said the use of a collection agency has been effective for surrounding area libraries in Southgate, Allen Park, Taylor and Wyandotte.

The service comes at no cost to the City of Trenton because a $10 fee is added to each case after it is sent to the collection agency.

Sanak said most people get the overdue materials back to the respective libraries after the person who checked out the materials receives a letter from the collection agency.

"Most people see the letter in the mail and they hop-to-it and get the materials back to us," Sanak said.