Returning Damaged Items

If a patron returns an item which has damage beyond normal wear and tear:

1. Check the item for damage notes.

   1.  Look carefully at the item being returned. An item that has damaged notes on the item record will display a popup screen when the barcode is entered in Aleph. The screen will display the type of damage noted, staff initials and the date the note was entered. You may return the item if the damaged you observe has already been noted.

   2. Check the date due slip to verify that “Damage Noted” has been stamped in the book. If the stamp appears on the due date slip with a date and staff initials you may return the item.

2. Do Not return the item in Aleph is the damage is not already noted.

   1. Go to the patron record and click on “Global Patron Information”.

   2. Print the “Borrower Circulation Summary” under “Letter” on the sidebar.

   3. Next to the title of the damaged item, write the current date and your initials.

   4. Describe the damage (examples: water damage, smoke, eaten by dog, etc.).

   5. Place the copy in the item and place on the desk of the Billing Operations Manager.

   6. If the patron is present, you can tell them that they will be contacted as soon as possible to discuss repair or replacement of the item.

Charging Out Damaged Items

    When charging out a damaged item to a patron, make sure that there is either a note on the item record or a “Damage Noted” stamp in the book.

    If an item is badly damaged and the patron is willing to wait until the item is mended, note all patron information and take item to mending. Inform the patron immediately when the repaired item is returned to Circulation and is ready to be picked up.

Mending Slips

When sending an item to mending, take a Returns Mending Slip from the returns desk and check each of the following, as appropriate:

• Binding - The seam between the cover and the 1^st page is ripped, completely cut through or so worn that the netting is visible.

• Corners - The cloth cover is worn and the cardboard is exposed.

• Cover - The cover is appreciably ripped or torn.

• Pages,  Loose - There are loose pages in the book.

• Pages, Missing - There are missing pages in the book - note which ones on the slip.

• Pages, Torn - There are torn pages in the book - note which ones on the slip.

• Spine - The outer spine of the book is ripped, hanging on by a thread or detached.

• Other - A condition not defined above.  Write why the book needs to be mended.

If the spine or binding is damaged or there are loose pages, put a rubber band around the book before placing it on the Mending cart.