Gale Kern knew she owed a small library fine to Wytheville Community College.

She was surprised a colleague knew it, too.

Kern, who recently taught a class at the school, was among 15 people Wytheville recently listed on its Web site as needing to "report to the WCC Library as soon as possible to resolve obligations."

Returning library books late might rank right below jaywalking in the hierarchy of criminal activity to some people, but missing items are a major concern for librarians.

In their bid to get back items, many libraries have hired collection agencies. A few have even called the cops.

Wytheville's policy of posting the names of delinquent patrons in the school newsletter may seem less severe, but several librarians were surprised to hear of it and said it raised privacy concerns.

American Library Association President Leslie Burger said she had never heard of any library publicizing its delinquent patrons.

"It seems a little extreme to me'' and could embarrass people, Burger said.

"We definitely don't do that," Hollins University Librarian Joan Ruelle said when told of Wytheville's practice.

Wytheville only lists the names of people who owe less than $2, in a bid to get matters resolved early, said Anna Ray Roberts, the school's coordinator of library services.

The college does not identify which items are outstanding. Roberts said the tactic dates back years and has drawn no complaints.

But when asked if being identified bothered her, Kern, who lives in Wytheville, said: "I think it did at first, because a colleague brought it to my attention. It was almost like I was a bad person."

Roberts said the college started listing patrons back when it had only a printed newsletter and may revisit the policy now that the newsletter is online.

"I certainly respect privacy," she said.

Libraries take a variety of approaches to try to get materials back, ranging from fine amnesties to prosecution. One fairly common tactic is to waive fines in exchange for canned food for the needy.

Virginia Tech ran such a program in 1999 but was told by auditors not to do it again, said Brenda Pratt, the university's head of circulation.

"This is a state college and that money is tax money," she said of fines.

Between May 1 and mid-June Tech had referred about 300 accounts to collections in a bid to recover $15,000 worth of fines and materials, Pratt said.

Tech has a bursar's office to seek funds owed the school, but many smaller institutions outsource their collection efforts.

Unique Management Services, of Jeffersonville, Ind., has seen its library clients grow from two to more than 800 in 11 years, said Kenes Bowling, manager of customer development.

Among his customers: Culpeper County Library.

"We don't like to make people mad at us if at all possible, but really do need to get our books back," said Culpeper library's director, Susan Keller.

"The books are paid by for by your taxes, and it is essentially stealing if you don't return them."

Virginia law allows libraries to press charges against people who do not return items within 30 days of being notified. Other states have similar laws, which are enforced now and then.

Police in Bonham, Texas, are in the process of bringing misdemeanor charges against patrons who ignored a May 15 deadline to return long-overdue items.

"We're charging them with theft of the value of the books and aggregating the case if they have multiple items," said Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston.