If I damaged or lost a book, can I buy a replacement copy and give it to the library rather than paying the replacement fee?

Please do not bring in a replacement copy for a book you lost. Cost is only one of several considerations for the Library in replacing lost or damaged materials; rather, our professional staff looks at collection needs in that subject area.

In some cases the book is dated and can be replaced by a new edition, or the same title in a different format, or a new title by the same author that includes additional and/or more up-to-date content.

It may be out-of-print. We may have received a recent donation of that title, and will use replacement funds to order another item that meets our collection needs.

In addition to these considerations, librarians also look at the quality of the physical format to determine its suitability for long-term use.