I would like to hear how other librarians manage notifications of overdue books, and at what point do you just pronounce a book as lost and decide whether to replace it or not. We do not charge fines.This is the least enjoyable duty for me as librarian.
Linda Johnson
Replies
Totally agree, Linda. I'm currently dealing with a number of these, including 2 CD sets that each has a missing disc upon return, and dread calling them.
We send out weekly notices, like the public library, on overdue and due that weekend items. (I can email you a copy of the Notice Due template we use, if you'd like.)
Borrowers just reply to renew their items. When there's no response, the next notice includes the replacement cost (including tax), which usually gets a response.
When there's no response to that notice, then I will call and leave a message / speak with them about the situation. When there's been no response or action to that in a reasonable amount of time, then I go ahead and replace it out of the budget.
Barbara Racioppi, Librarian
Lake City Community Church
Lakewood, WA 98498
library@lc3.com
Could you send me a copy of your Notice Due Template. Thanks, Barbara Brown
Please email me at library@lc3.com so I can attach the file for you.
Barbara
We send out a reminder when the book is due, but we let it go. If they return it, great, and if not, that's ok too. We usually don't remove or replace them until we do our yearly inventory unless it is a popular title or author. In the case of a popular book, we replace when it is 4 weeks overdue.