If you have yet to pay up your library fines, you could be one of nearly 800,000 residents getting a reminder in the mail.

Two months after a report highlighted its accounting lapses, the National Library Board (NLB) launched efforts to prompt patrons — who owe more than $5 million in overdue fines — to pay up as soon as possible.

"The mailing exercise is carried out as a result of the findings from the recent Auditor-General's Office (AGO) report released in July," said the library authority in a news release yesterday.

About 400,000 reminders have been sent to patrons with unpaid bills due before May 10, with another 400,000 slated to go out over the next two weeks. Those who have to pay for more than 10 items will receive more than one reminder.

Last year, the board wrote off $3.5 million in unpaid fines. Urged by the AGO to "step up its recovery of outstanding charges", the NLB has decided to embark on this reminder exercise once every quarter.

The AGO's latest annual report uncovered, among other things, that some of the errant borrowers, in fact, worked at the NLB — 27 employees had owed the board a total of $1,306 in fines and charges for more than five years. Seven staff members were found to owe between $100 and $500 each.

Asked how much it cost to mail out the 800,000 reminders, an NLB spokesperson told Today the estimated operating cost was "less than 1 per cent of the amount to be recovered".

Library patrons can choose to get an electronic alert instead, by providing the board with their email addresses.

Said the board: "NLB is mindful that it has to recover outstanding charges to keep its operating costs under control and to exercise fairness to the patrons who have paid up their outstanding charges promptly."

Fines are incurred on a per-day basis when books or audio-visual materials are returned after the due date. Overdue items are considered lost after six months and the fine is replaced by the cost of the item.

Those who have returned their borrowed items may still receive the reminders if they have not paid the fee or fine.

One disgruntled library patron was alerted to unpaid fines dating back 10 years. Said Mr Martin Ross, 40, who is self-employed: "I have no qualms about paying up fines for which I am responsible. But to remind your patron 10 years after the books have been returned — and this is the first time I've been told to pay this fine — shows a total lack of prudence on their part."

While the amount owed came up to less than $2, Mr Ross said the payment method, involving a trip to the library, was a "total waste of time".

Payment of fines can be made via Nets, cheque, CashCard and the ez-link card at all public libraries and through pre-paid accounts online. Those who wish to appeal against their overdue amount may write in or email the NLB. TODAY/sf