Washington Elementary School Library Patron Agreement
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Welcome to the Washington Elementary School’s Library! Our school has over 9,000 books and resources
which makes responsible book care an important part of our program. Please read and discuss the
expectations below with your child.
Book Care Rules:
 Keep books clean; make sure hands are clean before touching.
 Keep books in a safe place away from babies, pets, food, and liquids.
 Turn pages carefully from the corner and use a bookmark to mark your place. Never write or draw
in a book or ear mark pages.
 When you are not reading your library books, keep them in your backpack or in your classroom at
school.
Washington Elementary Library Policies:
1. When a student checks out a book, that student should look through the book for any damage or
concerns. Then bring it to the librarian if found.
2. Books must be returned every two weeks (students may recheck their books if needed). No other
books may be borrowed if your child has any late books or fines.
3. If a book is lost or damaged, the student must pay to replace it. Most of our books have special
reinforced bindings which make the books costly to replace.
4. If a student damages or loses a book, they should bring it to the attention of the librarian. Never
try to repair a book, most repairs can be done by the librarian to avoid a fine.
Parents:
Please take some time to discuss the types of books you want your child to be reading. Also take the time
to discuss any topics you do not want your child to be reading about. They need to know your
expectations.
PATRON AGREEMENT
Fines and Damaged, Overdue, or Lost Materials:
Borrowing books from the Library is free. There is no charge for checking books out unless a title is lost
or damaged. If this happens, the library should be compensated within a timely manner of the event. If
paying with a check please make it out to Washington Elementary. The actual amount will be determined
by the librarian’s professional judgment on a case by case basis. The cost depends on 1. the amount of
damage and 2. the total value of the book. Students need to pay the entire replacement cost of any book
that the librarian determines to be seriously damaged. Books achieve this status when there is enough
moisture, writing, food, or physical damage so that an item can no longer circulate. The average cost of a
paperback book is $8.00 and most hard cover books cost $20.00. Since these are average costs, the
amount due for a replacement may be greater or less, depending on the actual value of a particular title.
This is also true for lost books. Students are taught, reminded, and expected to examine all newly
borrowed books for damage and report any blemishes to the librarian. This is done to protect the patron
from being held responsible for another’s book abuse. Given limited time and resources, the librarian
tries but sometimes is unable to check every library book as it is returned. Instead, students are
reminded to examine their newly checked out library books for damage before they leave the library.
Students are strongly encouraged and continually reminded to show any damage (ripped pages,
markings, liquid damage, etc.) in their newly checked out books to the librarian. This is done so that 1.
the librarian can repair the book (if possible), 2. the previous person who checked the book out will
receive a fine (if necessary), and 3. the student who currently has the book is protected from any fines or
damage costs. If a student does not check her/his book for harm before leaving the library the student is
gambling on the assumption that the book is free of damage. Such students who do not follow library
policies and procedures undermine the library system and enable others to "get away" with damaging
books. Thus students who check out damaged books and do not show damage to the librarian before
leaving the library can and may be held responsible for all costs.
Overdue notices will be given to students during their library time, if a book is still not returned after a
month a notice will be sent home.
Students with overdue books will lose borrowing privileges. Privileges will be restored when overdue
books are returned or fines have been paid. Loan periods are subject to change depending on patron's ontime turn-in record.
 Students must pay for lost books or books damaged beyond repair regardless. If the fine remains
unpaid, the fine will continue to the middle school where the fine must be paid before a student
can register.
 If a student is unable to pay a fine, the responsibility rests with the student/parents to make
arrangements to pay off the debt by making monthly payments.
 Moving In and Moving Out: When a new student arrives at Washington Elementary, all library
debts to the former schools/ school districts must be taken care of before a student can check out
books here. Leaving a school with books from the library is irresponsible. We will do the favor of
returning any books or compensation to the former school. If a student leaves Washington
Elementary with library books, the student and parent/guardian should find some way to return
the books, get a replacement to us, or pay the value of the book(s). You can drop the books or
money off at the school office, give the books or money to the librarian at the new school library or
mail the books or money to us at:
Washington Elementary School
800 Field Ave
Centralia, WA 98531
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Date: ____________________________________
1. STUDENT, if you agree with this contract, neatly print your first and last name as it appears in official
school records: I, ________________________________________________________ will return my library materials on
time. If I am responsible for a damaged or lost book, I will compensate the library within a reasonable
amount of time or will make arrangements with the librarian.
2. PARENT/GUARDIAN, if you agree with this contract, sign your first and last name:
I, ________________________________________________________ have read and understand the procedures for having
my child borrow library books. I will make certain that my child returns books on time and pays for lost
or damaged items within a reasonable time.
***Please return this form to the school librarian***