Just days after it announced it would turn over long overdue customer accounts to a collection agency, the Pioneer Library System said Friday it would extend its amnesty program "to give customers more time to return long-overdue library materials and clear their accounts."

"(This is) due to library customers' overwhelming positive, proactive response," said library spokesman Gary Kramer, in an e-mail media release.

Kramer said customers have until Oct. 12 to bring in overdue library materials and, provided items are still in good condition, have all fines and charges waived for those materials.

?"We're telling people 'no fines, no charges, no limits, no questions' during the amnesty period. For most, simply returning the overdue materials will reduce the account to below the $50 level," he said.

?On Oct. 15, customers who have owed the library more than $50 for longer than 60 days risk having their accounts turned over to a collection agency.

Pioneer's CEO Anne Masters said more than 200 customers have already taken advantage of the grace period.

"In the four days since we announced our decision to enforce our policies regarding long-overdue materials, more than 200 customers have already cleared their accounts, and they did it without taking us up on our amnesty offer," she said.

Masters said customers have forgotten -- or were not aware -- they had an outstanding library debt. Library officials said the system is carrying more than $1.4 million in unresolved fines and charges.

Customers who don't clear their accounts could have their accounts turned over to Unique National Collections, an agency that specializes in library accounts.

Once the collection agency is involved, Masters said, there a four month process before a credit report is filed.

Customers unsure about the status of their accounts may check them anonymously by logging on to the Pioneer Library System Web site, www.justsoyouknow.us and clicking the Library Account link under the Services menu.

Masters said library managers in Blanchard, McLoud, Moore, Newcastle, Noble, Norman, Purcell, Shawnee and Tecumseh have the authority to work with their customers to find mutually satisfactory resolutions to delinquent accounts.??

Branch managers can set up a payment schedule or even waive charges in certain situations, she said.

M. Scott Carter 366-3545 scarter@normantranscript.com