CLAIMS RETURNED PROCEDURE
When a library patron claims that an item still charged out to him/her them has been returned to the library, he/she may request that the library place a "Claims Returned" on the item.
To initiate the Claims Returned process, the patron must complete a Claims Returned form.
they should notify the library immediately.
A Claims Returned may be taken by Circulation Staff over the telephone but the user will need to come into the library to sign the Claims Returned form, via email, or in person.
The following policies will apply to this procedure:
- Items Claimed Returned will be searched for a total of 4 for immediately and up to 4 times within a 40 day period.
- If the item is found in the library, the the item will be discharged from the user's record and all fines and late fees will be waived provided the item is stamped with a recent return date and is sensitized.
- A patron may have ONE OCCASION with a maximum of 3 (three) items without assessment of late charges, unless the item was recalled by another patron.
- The patron is encouraged to continue searching for the item while staff search for it in the library. If the patron finds the item and returns it to the library, he/she will be assessed any overdue fine that has accrued the exception indicated above will apply as a one-time courtesy.
- If the item cannot be found, the following policies will apply:
- The item will remain on the patron's account until it is billed for replacement, returned, or replaced.
- Item replacement charges transferred to the Bursar's office will not be rescinded or waived until one of the following conditions are met:
a. Item is found by library staff
b. Item is returned by the patronA patron may have ONE OCCASION with a maximum of 3 (three) items without assessment of charges. An item that is Claims Returned will be removed from the patron's library record if charges have not been sent to the Bursar's office. After this one occasion of Claims Returned, OR IF THERE ARE MORE THAN 3 ITEMS BEING CLAIMS RETURNED
- After the one occasion of waiving late fees for Claims Returned items, or if there are more than 3 items being claimed returned (even on a first occasion), the user will be billed full lost book charges for any Claims Returned items not found in the Library after 4 searchesall associated late fees where the patron is deemed responsible. These charges may include the replacement cost of the book, a $21$35.00 processing fee and a possible or the overdue fine.
- The patron WILL be responsible for the overdue fines that have accrued if the item is found on the shelf and it is not:
a. Stamped
b. Sensitized
c. Returned in the system
policy guideline revised 7/14/04, 8/4/09, 10/20/17