Great question, Tracie. We don’t have a policy per se, but we tend to let them sit for about three months. Our procedure is, after an item has been identified as damaged, we notify the patron that they will be billed for the cost of the item plus a processing fee. The item then stays on our damaged shelf until the patron has paid or for about three months, at which time we evaluate whether we should get rid of the item or not.

I’d be curious to hear others’ responses.

Kelly Bennett

Head of Circulation, Ferndale Public Library

From: michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Tracie Alger
Sent: Monday, September 23, 2013 9:59 AM
To: michlib-l@lists.mcls.org
Subject: [Michlib-l] Damaged items question

Does anyone have a policy that addresses how long a damaged item is held by the library? For example, a patron returns a water-damaged item to the book drop and would like to see proof that the item is damaged. We currently hold these items in a couple of file cabinet drawers. This becomes an issue for space and health reasons. Would be interested in formal and informal guidelines as I am going about making formal policies for our board to review.

Thank you for your help!

Sincerely,

Tracie Alger

Assistant Director

Big Rapids Community Library