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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Has any other Michigan library used the services of their county prosecuting attorney to send a warning letter to patrons who could be at risk of being charged with a misdemeanor for a high volume of unreturned materials? We were advised by one lawyer to NOT turn over patron information to police or the prosecutor – even if they are willing to assist. The reasoning was that although libraries make collection agencies an agent of the library to allow them to provide patron information, it could be more delicate under the Michigan Library Privacy Act to make law enforcement an agent of the library. We would not need to provide the titles for the letter – just the patron’s name, address and replacement cost of unreturned items. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We do not have enough volume to make it cost effective to contract with a collection agency. We took one patron to Small Claims Court to get restitution (through a garnishee order) for unreturned MeLCat items, but it was a lengthy and costly process. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks for any thoughts you can share,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Maureen<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Maureen Derenzy, Library Director<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Otsego County Library<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>700 S. Otsego Avenue<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Gaylord, MI 49735<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(989) 732-5841 x15<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>mderenzy@otsego.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>